I finished reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp yesterday and I've been taking up the idea of eucharisteo (giving thanks) and writing down what I'm thankful for, following Ann's example.
So far I'm up to 400.
But I know I'm still a far way off from the achieving the purpose of tracking things to be thankful for. To remain in constant communication with the Creator of All Things.
So, on pg. 58 of One Thousand Gifts, Ann writes about the significance of ingratitude. How it's linked to the snake in the Garden of Eden - the first recorded instance of our ingratitude (as in not being grateful for being in a perfect world and that ingratitude expressing itself in wanting something more).
This is a huge deal. If Ann's on to something, then it's possible that it was ingratitude that caused our spiritual ancestors in Eden to give in to temptation. And consequently, it's ingratitude that causes us to slip up as well.
If all of this is true, then it would seem like being grateful by actively expressing thanks to the Creator would be a huge part of the solution towards remaining grounded in the Source of all Good.
The equation is being thankful by actively expressing it leads to joy. A joy which is not based on events or circumstances. A joy that does not deny the existence of terrible pain or evil, but transcends it by rescuing us from despair.
This is a joy that isn't based on feelings at all. It's based on relationship, breaking of bread with the Creator, with God.
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