It was a crisp autumn day in beautiful western Michigan. The frost that was turning the apples sweet was also painting the leaves in colors so vivid that someone said Crayola would be afraid to put them in the box.
That evening, we gathered around the dinner table, heads bowed, as one of our little people gave the blessing.
“Thank You for Mommy. And for Daddy.” Add the list of siblings. Then, peeking through latticed fingers, “And thank You for the meatloaf. And for the putadas. And thank You for the…hey, that’s not what I wanted!” Thus ended the prayer. Thus began the giggles.
Wouldn’t it be easier if the Scripture said, “In many things give thanks”? But no, “In EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Even if the Bible said to be thankful for most things. But there’s that all-encompassing command: “Giving thanks always for ALL THINGS to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20)
Notice what this does NOT mean. We are not to be thankful for those things that God hates. These are never God’s will. Sin is despising God’s way, the opposite of thankfulness!
Yet how often I find myself looking through the lattice of life’s crisscross circumstances and saying by my attitude, if not in words, “Hey, that’s not what I wanted!” How long will it take some of us to realize that the One who serves up life to us knows what’s best?
This is where faith comes in. I know it’s easier to see gray clouds than silver linings. But often what we think is a misfortune could actually be a priceless treasure.
In February 2010, Stacey Kramer delivered a Ted Talk. She told of a surprising gift she had received. She described the effect it might have on you, as it happened to her.
“It will bring all your family together,” she said. “You will feel loved and appreciated like never before and reconnect with friends and acquaintances.…It will recalibrate what’s most important in your life. It will redefine your sense of spirituality and faith.…Your life will have new meaning.”
The gift? A brain tumor.
She explained that she wouldn’t wish that gift on anyone. Nor would she have chosen it. But neither would she forfeit the enrichment it brought her.
But this being thankful in everything has a necessary ingredient, without which the recipe turns sour: “ALL THINGS work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“Giving thanks always for all things” is only really possible when we believe that all things, while not always good in themselves, can somehow be used by God to bring us good.
Notice, this promise is made to those who love God. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Accepting His sacrifice to save us from our sins and give us eternal life, we commit ourselves to living out His purpose in us.
Even hard times can be Thanksgiving time. God has allowed us to be where we are. He has promised to use these circumstances for our good. Arriving at the Father’s House, we’ll see He brought us Home the very best way.
Article by Jabe Nicholson first published in the Commercial Dispatch, Saturday, November 18, 2023