A couple of weeks ago, Shayla sent me this picture text. This is looking out our family room window into the woods that are behind our house. It is a perfect window to put window clings on for each holiday season. This one is two simple words.
Be Thankful.
This week we had a Thanksgiving program for our son who is in pre-school. There is nothing cuter than watching 3 and 4 year olds sing their little hearts out. One of the songs that they sang was “We are thankful, we are thankful. Yes we are. Yes we are. Thank you for my mommy. Thank you for my daddy. And my food, and my food.” (sing it to the tune of Where Is Thumbkin)
It got me thinking. It’s easy to be thankful when things are going great but what about when things are NOT going great. Can we be thankful during a storm?
What if one of those little boys or girls doesn’t have a mommy or daddy this Thanksgiving? Can they be thankful?
What if mommy and daddy decided to stop fighting for their marriage and decided to give up and daddy won’t be in the kitchen to carve the turkey? Can they still be thankful?
What if there has been a job loss this year and you are not sure how you are going to be able to afford Thanksgiving dinner let alone Christmas gifts in a few weeks? Can you still be thankful?
What if you got the call that there has been an accident and a family member has passed away in a car accident? Where do you find any ounce of thankfulness in that?
What if you are not sure how next month’s rent is going to get paid? Can you still be thankful?
What if the doctors say there is nothing more they can do to help your loved one? Can you still be thankful?
This list could go on and on. Maybe you are in a time that it is hard to be thankful for anything. I am talking about deep within your soul thankfulness. You can barely get up enough strength to take on another day. The storm might be overwhelming for you.
There is a story in the Bible about Jesus calming the storm. It can be found in Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25. Jesus was with his disciples on a boat and a horrific windstorm came up. During this storm, Jesus was SLEEPING. Yes, sleeping. This storm did not have the same impact on him as it did on the disciples because the scriptures say that they feared for their lives. I am sure they said something like, “If this Jesus guy is who he says he is, WHY is he sleeping and not protecting us!”.
What is the response by Jesus? “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he rebuked the storm and it was completely calm. This is simply breathtaking. Even the wind and waves obey Jesus.
What is the point of me sharing this story with you? Jesus is in control of your storm. It might not seem like it because you are in the middle of it and drowning second by second, minute by minute, and day by day.
To the unemployed person reading this…there is job waiting for you. Jesus is in control.
To the marriage that is all but over…you can love each other again. Jesus is in control.
To the health situation that seems terminal…we have a promise that heaven is a real place for those who put their trust in Jesus. Jesus is in control.
To the addict who just wants to make it one day without giving in…surrender the addiction and one day will be a victory. Jesus is in control.
To the depressed...there is a light in the darkness. Jesus is in control.
To the broken…grace and healing await you. Jesus is in control.
Your answer might not come today or tomorrow. The outcome might not be what you want it to be. We are not promised things will always be easy.
Maybe you are like those disciples in the boat on that windy night and the fear of drowning has overwhelmed you. Today can be the day that you have a restored faith that Jesus is in control. Jesus can calm the storm that you are going through.
I hope that you can find something to be thankful for this week.
More importantly, my prayer is that you reach out to Jesus to calm your storm.
May the song below encourage you today. Someone very special sent it to me today at exactly the moment I needed it.
Jesus will make a way,
Bryan
I AM THEY - Make A Way
You brought me to the desert so You could be my water You brought me to the fire so You could be my shield You brought me to the darkness so You could be my morning light If You brought me this far, if You brought me this far
Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way You will make a way
And when I’m in the valley, You will be my comfort And when I’m at the end of me, I find You there When I’m in the battle, You will be my present peace Cause You brought me this far, You brought me this far If You brought me this far
Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way My God will make a way
Cause You brought me this far You brought me this far You brought me this far You will make a way
You brought me this far You brought me this far You brought me this far My God will make a way
Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made
Wherever you lead me, I know you won’t leave me Wherever you call me, You will make a way Wherever we’re going, I will be holding To the promise you have made You will make a way You will make a way