“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).
“How do you give thanks when you’re not thankful?” Timmy's chin quivered. “I don't want to, Grandfather.”
“Guilty of the very thing myself.” Timmy’s head snapped up.
“You?”
“Many times. Giving thanks is a choice.” Grandfather tilted his head. “Have you noticed the Scripture doesn’t read, 'Give thanks when you feel like it?' It reads, 'In everything give thanks.'”
“But Grandfather, I’m not thankful when I'm hurting.”
Grandfather smiled. “Remember when you were learning to ride your bicycle?”
“I had a hard time at first, but once I learned, I did okay.”
“Yes, you got some bruises when you fell, but you didn’t quit—just kept on getting up and trying again.”
“Grandfather, you know I hurt my ankle practicing for the race. Now I’m sitting here, my foot propped.” He dipped his head. “And I can’t be in the race today.”
“How if we go to the race? We’ll fix a place in the back of my truck so you can watch.”
“I had a hard time at first, but once I learned, I did okay.”
“Yes, you got some bruises when you fell, but you didn’t quit—just kept on getting up and trying again.” “Grandfather, you know I hurt my ankle practicing for the race. Now I’m sitting here, my foot propped.” He dipped his head. “And I can’t be in the race today.”
“How if we go to the race? We’ll fix a place in the back of my truck so you can watch.”
Grandfather opened the hall closet, pulled out a box. “This should do the trick.”
“Your megaphone? You'd let me use your megaphone? All right!” He pumped his fist.
“What’s different?” Grandfather cocked his head. “Still have an injured ankle. Still needs propping…”
Timmy held up the megaphone. "This will make me a part of the team.”
Grandfather sat by Timmy. “See it a bit differently, son. Circumstances haven’t changed but your attitude has.
“Your megaphone? You'd let me use your megaphone? All right!” He pumped his fist.
“What’s different?” Grandfather cocked his head. “Still have an injured ankle. Still needs propping…”
Timmy held up the megaphone. "This will make me a part of the team.”
Grandfather sat by Timmy. “See it a bit differently, son. Circumstances haven’t changed but your attitude has.
“You chose to be excited. When we give the Lord the hurtful things in our life, with His love and grace, the results are for His Glory and our good.”
Timmy grinned. “Guess that’s what happens when we give thanks to the Lord. Just think, Grandfather.”
“What’s that?”
“You took something hurtful and made it exciting. Now I get to use your megaphone.” He tilted his head. “That’s important to learn, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely.”
“Know what? The Lord still has a place for me in the race. Instead of running, I can cheer for the runners. Now can we check out the back of the truck to see what we need?”
“We can and will.” He grabbed Timmy’s crutches.
Kingdom Thinking. When I give thanks for everything in my life, the Lord Jesus brings good. Therefore I rejoice for this is His will for me. He promises never to leave nor forsake me and loves me with an everlasting love. He promises the same to you. Won’t you come?