One year, four months, and twenty two days ago, I published my last blog.  The words didn’t stop appearing as the result of a literary drought.  Quite the contrary.  In fact, life was unfolding so quickly that I could barely catch it with the tip of a ballpoint pen.  My promise to get back in the blogging saddle was crowded out by distractions and excuses.  Before another month slips by, I commit to write; to chronicle this time of growth, this exchange of my weakness (Asthenes) for His strength (Dunamai).

This summer, I was blessed with a few treasured moments to catch up with a sweet friend.  It was in the middle of our conversation, that I recognized one of the great gifts of friendship – the opportunity to share our story.  She opened up to me about how her love for Jesus was deeper than ever before and conveyed, with raw emotion, what it is to be Wife and Mom.  This beautiful daughter of the King was overwhelmed by the blessing of Grace and it reflected from tears of Joy.

Within this same conversation flowed nothing but rave reviews for Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts.  That same summer, I picked up my own copy and cracked the cover at every opportunity.  Soaking in each page, it became evident that I still have so much more to learn about Eucharisteo – so much to learn about giving thanks.

During the month of November, it is customary to observe a day of thanks.  This holiday of Thanksgiving is a personal favorite.  Surrounded by giggling cousins and the scent of pumpkin pies in the oven, it’s impossible to miss the presence of Joy.  Each day, we encounter gifts.  Whether they are wrapped in packages of breathtaking sunrises or love notes, of fresh snow or the sound of a loved one’s voice, each is an opportunity to express thanks for what is stirred up within us – a heart of gratitude.  Today, this very day, is a gift: a day to be thankful that we are created to give thanks.