In Everything Give Thanks
Have you ever woke up one morning and you just didn’t feel much like facing the day? That’s how I felt one day last week. I was discouraged. But, unable to stay in bed, I pulled myself together and went about my day. While I sat in the office later folding church bulletins, I watched part of a documentary on my computer (that could have done without some of the language that was in it, and a few other things). It had to do with the guy who was out hiking or bow-hunting when he came across a dead bear (show in picture). He didn’t know that under that bear’s body was an electrical current that was left exposed. When he touched the bear, all that electricity surged through his body. It left him with two holes in his head and one on his side where the electricity exited his body, and his hand was fried that he touched the bear with. Somehow, when he regained consciousness, he was able to stagger out and get help. His hand was amputated. He lost a lot of muscle mass. He endured many surgeries. They found that he had cancer, and his treatment for his injuries were postponed until he finished chemo. I then realized that even though I wasn’t having the greatest of days, things could always be worse—a lot worse.
Things don’t always go according to plan. Our lives are often not what we thought they were going to be. There are disappointments. There are things that happen that derail our plans and give us something else instead. We can’t always change what life has handed us, but we can decide how we are going to respond.
Our goal is heaven. If life here on earth was perfect, we would not have the same desire for heaven. We would not be so drawn to God. We would not feel the same dependency on God. While in this life, God is working on us and preparing us for something better. Much about this life is just not fair. We might find ourselves thinking: “This is not the way it’s supposed to be.” Trust God; don’t lose faith; and remember, “all things work together for good to those who love God . . .” (Rom 8:28 NKJV; see also, 2 Cor 12:8–10).
One of these days the Lord will return. We will have our reward. When that day comes and we enter heaven’s land, then all things will be as they are “supposed to be”—perfect and exactly right.
For now, by God’s grace, we live. But we live in a fallen world. Even so, God’s children always have more than enough reasons to be thankful if we will stop and count our blessings. Let us give thanks this holiday season and look forward to that day when all of God’s people get home (Ps 100:4; 1 Thes 5:18). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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