My friend, Tom Hale, has often pointed out how darkness helps us perceive the light and how hard times make the good times seem so much better. Of course, he's right, as he often is. Flowers seem so much brighter above the mud and the dreary brownness of winter makes the green glow of spring seem even more wonderful.
Pain and pleasure provide their measures of our lives as do joy and sorrow. Peaks and valleys, smooth and rough, easy and tough. An ancient tentmaker advised that we give thanks in every situation because, after all, "this is God's will for you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)
Admittedly, there are times when giving thanks seems to come mighty naturally. Getting a much-desired job, the birth of a healthy baby, a good medical report, an unexpected visit from an old friend. You know, such as that. Other times, it can seem right forced and maybe a bit insincere. Car breaks down, electricity goes off during a really cold spell, water pipes break, dark spot shows up on a scan. I reckon that's where faith and obedience come in.
"Okay, God, I sure don't know what the good is in this… thanks, anyway. I guess…"
Sometimes, we can find the good in pretty short order. Stranger stops and helps us out and we end up with a new friend. Neighbors offer us a warm room to sleep in and the break in the water pipe causes us to spot a structural issue that would become a lot worse if it went on another six months before we found it. Or maybe we find we do have cancer and the love of a hundred friends becomes more visible than it has ever been.
Maybe we never see the blessing in the storm because it had to do with something deeper, the forming of some needed change hidden way down within us. Maybe it was about the opportunity we had to do good rather than be the recepient.
Our habit of gratitude should never be dependent upon our ability to perceive our own benefit. "Lord, thank you for the day you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it whether I see the gain or not. I know that you are at work in all things for my good. Thanks for thinking of me. And, by the way, thank you for coffee. What a great way to start my day!"
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