“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. (NKJV).
“In everything?” Timmy tilted his head.
“Even bad things?” His shoulders drooped. “When I don’t feel like it?”“Yes, son,” Grandfather said. “Now mind you, I didn’t say it was easy but it’s necessary.”
Grandfather smiled. “I have a Thanks Box on the kitchen table. Each time you follow the Thanks Rule, you’re allowed to open it. What do you say?”
“I don’t know, Grandfather. Sounds silly to have a Thanks Box. What will my friends say?”
Grandfather rubbed the back of his neck. “You decide what’s more important--giving thanks in everything or pleasing your friends.”
“I’ll wait. Okay if I go over to Sam’s?” At Grandfather’s nod, he left.
Later that afternoon Timmy came into the kitchen, jerked to a stop. “Grandfather, is that the Thanks Box on the table?” He leaned close. “Sure is wrapped nice.”
“There’s one way to find out what’s inside,” Grandfather leaned against the door frame. “But you must follow the rules.”
Timmy stared at the box, turned on his heel. At the kitchen door, he did an about-face. “I’m sorry I was stubborn. Thank you for loving me, Grandfather.”
“Check out the Thanks Box. Go on. Open it.” Grandfather laughed as Timmy flushed with pleasure.
“All kinds of chocolates,” he said.
“Not all your favorites but they’re chocolateS.”
“I don’t know, Grandfather. Sounds silly to have a Thanks Box. What will my friends say?”
Grandfather rubbed the back of his neck. “You decide what’s more important--giving thanks in everything or pleasing your friends.”
“I’ll wait. Okay if I go over to Sam’s?” At Grandfather’s nod, he left.
Later that afternoon Timmy came into the kitchen, jerked to a stop. “Grandfather, is that the Thanks Box on the table?” He leaned close. “Sure is wrapped nice.”
“There’s one way to find out what’s inside,” Grandfather leaned against the door frame. “But you must follow the rules.”
Timmy stared at the box, turned on his heel. At the kitchen door, he did an about-face. “I’m sorry I was stubborn. Thank you for loving me, Grandfather.”
“Check out the Thanks Box. Go on. Open it.” Grandfather laughed as Timmy flushed with pleasure.
“All kinds of chocolates,” he said.
“Not all your favorites but they’re chocolateS.”
“Just think, Grandfather. I would’ve missed this if I didn't give thanks. He popped the chocolate-covered caramel in his mouth, closed his eyes.
Eyes wide flew open. “Grandfather, wonder what I’ve missed by not giving thanks?”
Grandfather smiled. “Guess we’ll never know but that can change.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He hugged his grandfather.
Kingdom Thinking. Giving thanks in everything doesn’t mean I manipulate the Lord. The wonderful result of rejoicing and giving thanks is the change in my flavor of thanks--my attitude. The Lord Jesus promises to love me and never leave nor forsake me. He offers the same to you.
Sometimes, the blessing comes in giving thanks, doesn't it my friend? Especially when we give it for things we weren't hoping to get.
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