In All Things, Give Thanks
I’m not thankful for war, which takes too many lives too causally. I am thankful for the courage and sacrifice of those who fight tyranny and serve our country.
I’m not thankful for incessant presidential debates and a primary season that started 18 months before the general election. I am thankful I live in a country that allows me a voice and a vote.
I’m not thankful for HIV/AIDS, which robs millions of life and is decimating Africa. I am thankful for God stirring hearts (including mine) to do something about it.
I’m not thankful it is taking so long for us to find an Education Pastor. I am thankful for ministerial staff that steps up and does extra work and lay leaders who go the extra mile to make sure group life stays strong.
I’m not thankful gas is almost $3 a gallon. I am thankful God has given me resources so I can still pretty much go when I want to.
I’m not thankful for people who treat their marriage casually, who are willing to wreck a family because they won’t be mature or sensitive or sacrificial. I am thankful for marital love that is patient, kind, not thoughtless, or selfish, or rude (see 1 Corinthians 13).
I’m not thankful for people who think they can go through life and never ponder their impact on others, never take responsibility for their words, never apologize, and never take responsibility for themselves. I am thankful for people who understand Rick Warren’s great statement – “Life is not about you.”
I’m not thankful that every thing that tastes good, sticks. I am thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper, a gift from God.
I’m not thankful for anxious gift giving, where we perpetuate old patterns of trying to say something, out of guilt or obligation, by spending money we don’t have on things people don’t need (electric back scratcher, anyone?). I am thankful for simple gifts that express real love.
I’m not thankful my failures, the many times and ways I’ve failed myself and others, the toxic selfishness that still oozes up from the dark wounds of my soul. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, His grace given to me, His salvation offered to me, His payment for all my sin and dysfunction.
1 Thessalonians 5:18a says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” I wonder if God meant for us to look even at that bad, at the evil, and find Him at work?
Happy Thanksgiving.
