BEING THANKFUL

I Was Just Thinking About – BEING THANKFUL

There is a verse that reminds us when we should be thankful. I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we set out to prepare a list of all the things for which we should give thanks, it would (should) be long, detailed and extensive. Some hints are contained in a Hymn written in 1891 by August L. Storm – Thanks To God. The second stanza shares:

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!

I have a friend whose wife died this past month. I sent him a note this morning wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving. The note included the fact that our circumstances can change abruptly, permanently, but God does not – He remains faithful and will surround the grieving soul with His presence, comfort and peace. One Hymn that was in mind – Be Still, My Soul – contains this line: “In every change, He faithful will remain.” In another stanza are these words:

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

In some situations, one is at a loss of words. A friend’s daughter suddenly abandons her husband, children and family to take up living with a stranger. What salve can be applied to that pain and heartache? The fact that there is a balm in Gilead is helpful but not easy to remember or apply. What can be said to a family who has a child who suddenly became ill with a debilitating malady (cancer) when he was 2 years of age and now have heard that he probably cannot survive? We have prayed to The Intercessor, Jesus Christ, in behalf of this child but matters seem to have gotten worse rather than better. The family may be sensing that reality and had their church representative come to the Hospital Room (Chapel) for the child’s Confirmation and First Communion. What words can cheer those troubled, concerned and desperate parents? In 1923, Thomas O. Chisholm composed the Hymn containing these words in the Refrain: “Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me!