“You know those weeks where the Lord gives you dramatic opportunities to practice what you say you believe? I’ve had one of those weeks!
Monday, we traveled to OH for a family reunion. Tuesday afternoon, we fell under a tornado warning and soon lost power at the home we were visiting. We watched some crazy wind and rain from the basement, where all 11 of us gathered to wait out the storm. Later reports confirmed 4 tornadoes in the area, one of which was less than a mile from us. The tree and power-line damage we saw on the dark drive to our sleeping place that night was extensive. We had to try multiple routes to even get there, as most of the roads were impassable.
The next morning, we heard that over 400,000 people were without power! So, we continued the rest of the week together without power and navigating constantly-changing road closures. Needless to say, it will remain a memorable reunion.
But, in the midst of the inconveniences, I kept thinking about God’s command (and desire) for us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Th. 5:18). Further, Karin Brown’s blog th(i)nkful has consistently exhorted me to “choose to download grace/strength from the Lord to think thanks about every circumstance in my life and to express that thanks orally or in written form.”
One exercise that she suggests is to make a list of as many things as you can think of to be thankful for in the midst of that difficult task/circumstance. And I needed that this week!
Instead of focusing on all of the negatives, I started my ‘list.’ I thank the Lord that:
1) Everyone was safe
2) No damage to either house we were staying at
3) We eventually found a way to the parsonage where we were sleeping (even though it took over 4x as long, and we drove under some low hanging power lines and tree branches!!). Thank the Lord for a grid system of roads!
4) The parsonage not only still had running water, but hot water too!
5) The ‘day home’ had large windows letting in lots of daylight
6) It also had a generator to keep the fridge going to keep 12-18 people fed
7) The weather cleared up to allow for playing outside, but also remained semi-cloudy, keeping the temps more comfortable inside
8) One of the young, local cousins (not with us that day due to sickness) ended up having a fever-induced seizure that evening at home, going unconscious, and expertly cared for in an ambulance before being taken to the hospital. They were in a nearby town that was not hit by the tornado, allowing the EMS crew to get there quickly despite the crazy storm damage.
9) Several in our group are used to dealing with no power, so they were prepared and proactive, keeping us well-cared for….water, food, and “powerless” fun!
10) Lastly, I thank the Lord for the opportunity (even though I still had to work sometimes to see it as such!) to reflect on all His graces to me that I take for granted, but still give thanks for Who He ALWAYS is to me whether I have those conveniences or not. Our Giver is good.
God is honored by our thanksgiving, and I know I express it too infrequently. This was a wonderful week to remind myself of how much I have to thank Him for. May you and I both grow in our ability to think thanks in all circumstances, glorifying the Lord and spurring others on to do the same!“
You, my reader, are now privy to this admonition. Be like Anna. When you are presented with a difficulty or challenge, put thinking thanks into action. Get that list going!
The Only Thing We Need To Do
Do you realize all the opportunities that the Master affords you? Every day when you wake you are given a clean sheet of paper to use for His glory. I love how we don’t have to stay on yesterday’s sheet of paper. You get a new chance to live for the Lord and please Him.
I have come up with 3 D’s of living for His glory. It just helps me stay on course. It is so easy to waste time and energies on things that don’t matter and seep out my strength and focus. Reading through the Scriptures it becomes apparent that it is crucial for me to discover His will. When Jesus walked this earth and exemplified how we should live our lives, He carefully sought to do His Father’s will (John 6:38; Hebrews 10:9). But there is more. I need to not only discern, but also choose to do in obedience what His will is for me. It is a beautiful reality that God has given me enough wherewithal to do His will. What a comfort!
And I would add that just a begrudging or apathetic obedience is not enough. So I have inserted a middle “D.” We should delight in doing the will of the Father. Why? Because we can trust our sovereign Lord. He loves us and does what is best for us. Yes, even when we don’t see it.
Discern the Father’s will for me (Romans 12:2)
Delight in….. (Psalm 40:8)
Doing the Father’s will for me (Matthew 7:21)
Anna, Carla, Me and You
A few months ago our dear friends, Andy and Carla, visited us in Africa. Carla and I discussed the 3 D’s as we walked the beach on the majestic Indian Ocean. If we truly lived by that simple mantra, we would come to the end of our days with no regrets.
On a sober note, you realize, don’t you, that you only get so many days? Perhaps for you or me there are not many left. Wrestle the opportunities to the ground. Don’t waste another day, but instead live life on purpose. Discern what the Lord wants from you today. It may not be what you wanted. Be flexible to His ways. He is “the God of the bend in the road!” Let Him guide your thoughts and direct your choices, and when you come to full knowledge of what His will is, choose to not only do it in obedience, but embrace it! Delight in doing His will. You may not feel it at first. Emotions are fickle, but they come around as you choose to do what is right.
Carla and I walked on the beach and prayed. We prayed for our difficulties and we prayed for us to have God’s perspective. He loves us so. He wants what is best for us. He knows what that best looks like. He asks us to trust in Him with all our hearts.
Walking The Talk
I have been working on a manuscript for a book on Th(i)nkful. One thing I am clearly reminded of is that if I want to teach others, I have to be tested as well. So lately I have had lots of opportunities to practice what I preach. It’s not easy!! To choose gratitude when you are hurting, when you feel like you will never be fully well again, takes grace from the LORD. Remember though that He wants to give that grace to us as we come to Him with our burdens and cares.
th(i)nkful 