Leviticus 3  A peace offering was a voluntary sacrifice of either an ox, lamb, or goat.  The animal could be male or female, but it had to be without defect.  The worshiper would lay his hand on the head of the animal and slaughter it himself.  Then the priest would sprinkle the blood of the animal around the altar and offer select pieces on the fire as a burnt offering.

The blood and the fat of the animals were burned up.  "It is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations wherever you live that you will eat neither fat nor blood." ( v17)

This offering was given to express love and gratitude, the commentary adds.  It describes the relationship of peace - shalom- between God and the worshiper.  And, like the other offerings, it is meant to draw one closer to the Lord.

Thanksgiving - daily, hourly, continually - giving thanks to the Gracious God who provides us with all things.  I love the book, one thousand gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  She is given a dare to make a list of 1000 things she is thankful for, and ends up learning a whole new way of life.. a life of thanksgiving.
One vital lesson she learned focuses on the concept of Eucharisteo - grace - thanksgiving -  joy. 
She says that in counting the gifts, she is really seeing and remembering and recording the grace - the goodness of God; naming the ways God loves her.  Then, giving thanks.. and finding true joy.

This takes practice, Ann Voskamp tells us.  It takes our attention .. in the present... knowing His Presence.

A man who brought a voluntary offering from his herd or flock.. to draw near to Adonai.. to confirm shalom - peace - in his relationship with Him... Wouldn't he be one who recognized the grace of God, the gifts of goodness that God had given him?  For it is with thanksgiving that he offered his sacrifice.. and it is with great joy that he celebrated his nearness to the God who loves him.

How do we do this?  What peace offering can we make?  Like Ann Voskamp, we can make a list.. we can become more aware and thankful of the graces of God's goodness towards us.  We can begin to practice eucharisteo - see the gifts He bestows on us; intentionally offer thanks; and find the joy in His Presence.

Father in heaven, help me to do this and to know the peace - shalom - of relationship with You.
Amen.