forever young

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” 
― G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy

::: all of this beauty :::

you are beautiful...

................................................................................................................................................

at a molecular and cellular level you are a marvel. your body is simultaneously a work of art and an unfathomable complex machine. most importantly it is a vessel for your spirit.

the existence of billions of other humans does not dim the miracle of your life; it confirms it.

beauty is not a matter of opinion but rather a fact. its an intrinsic component, part of what makes something what it is. it radiates independent of outward appraisal, it cannot be measured by a ruler or scale.

if something is beautiful, it is beautiful whether it is noticed or not. sometimes we want people to notice... don't worry, its human too. its not vain to believe you are beautiful. know it with conviction, learn to identify it. not only in yourself but in others as well.

CS Lewis in the Screw tape letters says this about our true identity...

...thousands of humans have been brought to think that humility means pretty women trying to believe they are ugly and clever men trying to believe they are fools...

...what He wants is each man in the long run to be able to recognize all creatures ( even ourselves) as glorious and excellent things.

rejoice in the differences that diversify and give variety to everyone around you.
believe in their beauty as fiercely as your own and you will inevitably generate the attractiveness you inevitably long for; people will want to be around you because they will want to see themselves the way you see them.

from the time we are young... we are looking for the things that identify us. this is our path of discovery. we chose ways to accentuate our physical beauty and search for ways to outwardly express our identity.

this task belongs to you and no one else. we chose what we conceal, what we will reveal, and with whom we will share it with. we do this not only with our hearts but also with our bodies. 

and so... while outwardly we may grow weary by the filth we discover in some choices; 
the truth remains... that He made beauty from ashes. 
the masterpiece alive inside you is just as much alive on the outside as well.

i say all this not to diminish or erase any bit of truth from the reality that we are far too easily persuaded to believe and see too much or too little in ourselves. 

humility is not discovered in thinking less of ourselves but rather in glorifying the One who made such remarkable beauty in you. 


        So may the choices we make always be made out of love,

may your beautiful feet carry you through trial and confusion, knowing when to lead and when to follow,

may your beautiful legs help you to firmly stand your ground,

may your beautiful knees bend in gratitude for your Savior,

may your beautiful belly be full of laughter, good food and plenty of drink that will make you well,

may your beautiful hands create works of righteousness.

may your beautiful shoulders grow strong enough to bear sorrow and hard work; soft enough to give and offer comfort and support.

may your mouth speak truth with kindness.

... and with your beautiful eyes.... see BEAUTY! 

::: eucharisteo :::

Each year I choose a theme.. something I both need and want to grow in my understanding of better. This year, 2013, I chose JOY.

What is it? Where does it come from? How does it appear? Who has it?

The books I've chosen to read this year have all been part of discovering more joy in life.

One such book is, "one thousand gifts", by Ann Voskamp

eucharisteo: its thanksgiving and it always proceeds the miracle.

There are countless accounts of Jesus healing people.

His words are simple but bold.

         " Rise. Go. Your faith has made you well"  Luke 17:19

The very word for " well" here in Greek is sozo. It means being made well or whole.

More literally... to be saved.

When did the leper and the countless others receive their sozo? 

When he began to give thanks.

"Our very salvation is associated with our gratitude."

The book paves the road for one to begin making steps to the full life...

Naming any and everything around you as something to give thanks for.

thank you for sunshine on my face

thank you for the refreshment of rain

thank you for a chance to see the world through Children's eyes... everyday.

thank you for clean clothes

thank you for a place to sleep

thank you for kind eyes

thank you for kind smiles

thank you for food to fill my stomach and to feel satisfied

thank you for daily graces

thank you for sound nights sleep

thank you for laughter that makes my heart elated

thank you for dance

thank you for legs that can jump

thank you for feet that can run

thank you for arms that can hug

thank you for hands to hold

my list continues...

slowly unwrapping more than one thousand gifts.

While I may not always feel joy, God asks me to give thanks in all things, because He knows that the feeling of joy begins in the action of thanksgiving.

though relationships may not "bud" and I may continue to "fail", and my work produce little "yield", though there is not enough money it seems to float my dreams, or at times no dream left in the heart...though others may choose different ways to live their own life, till my last heaving breath, I will fight to the death... " I will take joy" Habbakkuk 3:18

oh, what on earth does it look like to " rejoice in the Lord always". (Philippians 4:4)

I'm still learning... to consider it joy when troubles come my way. (James 1:2)

Perhaps its because without struggle we all too quickly take the pedestal of pride. 

"Pride slays thanksgiving"- Henry Ward Beecher

And all the while..true humility ( the kind that requires we go lower/ deeper) is filling us with grace.

As graces flows on and on and on ... the joy grows. From a heart marked with thanksgiving.

thank you for life... a full life.

:: humble "who" ::

"humility is not thinking less of yourself,

its thinking of yourself less."

c.s. lewis