In the aftermath of the Oregon and Connecticut shootings, I wasn't surprised to find the school parking lots full of parents picking up their kids yesterday. After dropping off my brother for swim practice, the radio DJ caught my attention, talking about this very same thing happening across the nation, and in his own town. What really caught my attention was the DJ's perspective. Of course, he was thankful for the chance to spend more time with his children. But beyond that, the announcer explained how he was even grateful for his far-off parking lot, and the ability he had to walk the distance to meet his children at the door.
Its not that uncommon to recall the things that we are grateful for. We even have a holiday-Thanksgiving-dedicated to things we are thankful for. But how often do we thank God for the things that we don't enjoy? Expressing gratitude for a delicious meal is easy. Saying "thank you" in response to a kind act is not hard. But God has not called us to merely thank him for the good things of life.
Just like the pagans who only love the friends who love them (Matthew 5:46-47), American Christians have formed a culture of thanklessness. We have moments when we recognize the grace of God. But if we only thank him for the obvious blessings in our lives, how are we any different from those who don't thank him for anything at all?
"Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all that it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name."
~Blessed Be Your Name, Matt Redman
In light of these words, I've created my own list. A unique compilation of the things that I am grateful for. They make me who I am, remind me who I was, and point me to who I could be.
What am I thankful for?
1. Relationships of the past. Because of the lessons they've taught be.
2. Headaches. Because the pain makes me more grateful for the times that I don't have any.
3. A dysfunctional family. Because I actually have one. And they love me, even if I don't always see it the way they show it.
4. Lack of money. This one is relative. I may not have much money compared to my neighbor a few houses down, but compared to my Central American neighbor a few countries down, I am rich.
5. Cold temperatures. They may make my hands go numb, but they might bring snow? And I have blankets, gloves, and heating. More than most.
6. School bills. Ugh, this is a hard one. But...am I blessed to attend Cedarville University, or what?
7. 20 hours of work next week. Less than I'd like, but I'll still be making money.
8. Insomnia. Because it reminds me of my total reliance on God for my needs.
9. Backaches. They mean that my nerves are working. Not everybody has that.
10. Rejection letters. Because they mean that I tried, and that puts me one step ahead of most people.
Its not that uncommon to recall the things that we are grateful for. We even have a holiday-Thanksgiving-dedicated to things we are thankful for. But how often do we thank God for the things that we don't enjoy? Expressing gratitude for a delicious meal is easy. Saying "thank you" in response to a kind act is not hard. But God has not called us to merely thank him for the good things of life.
Just like the pagans who only love the friends who love them (Matthew 5:46-47), American Christians have formed a culture of thanklessness. We have moments when we recognize the grace of God. But if we only thank him for the obvious blessings in our lives, how are we any different from those who don't thank him for anything at all?
"Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all that it should be
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name."
~Blessed Be Your Name, Matt Redman
In light of these words, I've created my own list. A unique compilation of the things that I am grateful for. They make me who I am, remind me who I was, and point me to who I could be.
What am I thankful for?
1. Relationships of the past. Because of the lessons they've taught be.
2. Headaches. Because the pain makes me more grateful for the times that I don't have any.
3. A dysfunctional family. Because I actually have one. And they love me, even if I don't always see it the way they show it.
4. Lack of money. This one is relative. I may not have much money compared to my neighbor a few houses down, but compared to my Central American neighbor a few countries down, I am rich.
5. Cold temperatures. They may make my hands go numb, but they might bring snow? And I have blankets, gloves, and heating. More than most.
6. School bills. Ugh, this is a hard one. But...am I blessed to attend Cedarville University, or what?
7. 20 hours of work next week. Less than I'd like, but I'll still be making money.
8. Insomnia. Because it reminds me of my total reliance on God for my needs.
9. Backaches. They mean that my nerves are working. Not everybody has that.
10. Rejection letters. Because they mean that I tried, and that puts me one step ahead of most people.
