1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
A few years ago, I was working with a young employee on my team at work. We were complaining about something work related--I can't even remember what it was. She was a new college graduate, and I had just given her a "real job in the real world," and I should have been setting a better example. But, as co-workers often do, we were having one of those moments around the proverbial water cooler, complaining about some new type of company policy that was causing us some momentary stress.
As we groused, she began to smile and asked me, "Have I ever told you about my mother?" "No," I replied, "but why don't you?"
Turns out this brave young lady has had quite the life. Her parents married young and started their family. Her father had worked as the manager of a fast food restaurant while her mother cleaned houses in between caring for their three children. Devoted Christians, her parents had taught their kids that no matter the balance in their checking account, God is good all the time. Needless to say, money was tight, and these kids learned the value of a dollar.
My friend's mother encouraged her children to clip coupons, and she would give them the money she saved at the grocery store with their coupons for their own savings. She also taught them to be genuinely grateful for the little things in life--a sunny day, a hot meal, a roof over their heads.
When the children were very young, their mother was diagnosed with cancer. She maintained her strong faith in God, and she battled through her treatments to achieve remission. Her cancer would come back, and then go into remission again. Her life became an ongoing battle with this horrible disease.
As the children grew older, they complained as children often do. My friend said she would call her mom from college to talk to her about the problems in her friendships, her sorority, or her classes. She said her mom always made her feel better about whatever she was complaining about.
"What was her secret?" I asked, already feeling guilty for my sour attitude.
"She made me count my blessings," my friend said.
"Oh, that's always a good idea," I said.
"But do you really know how to do it?" asked my friend. "I'm not sure...I think so," I replied.
"Let me tell you my mom's approach..." said my friend.
First, think about where you were born. Were you born in Africa with no father and a mother with AIDS? Were you born in a crack house in Memphis? Were you born in India and literally thrown in the garbage?
If your answer is no, praise the Lord!
Just by simply thanking God for the circumstances of your birth, you begin to realize how incredibly blessed you are compared to millions of people who are less fortunate than you.
Feeling better about your problems yet?
Next, think about your body. Do you have two legs with two feet? Do you have both your arms? Can you see, smell, taste and touch? Can you eat and digest food to nourish your body? Do you have a sound mind and the ability to maintain a somewhat "normal" mental health?
If your answers are yes, praise the Lord! You are beautifully and wonderfully made! Think of all the people who have lost limbs, had babies who are blind, or who battle mental illness. Thank God you have a healthy, functioning body with which to serve the Lord!
Feeling better about your problems yet?
Now, where are you? Are you safe? Are you sheltered from the elements of nature? Do you have a comfortable bed and a closet full of clean clothes? Do you have a car and the freedom to go here or there and exercise your free will as you choose with no fear of the government or police? Can you choose what you wear or must you veil your hair and face?
Thank God for the gifts of shelter, clothing, and freedom! Thank God you live in America!
Feeling a little better now?
What did you have to eat today? Did you have a conversation with your friends or family about what you would eat? Did you have a pantry full of good, healthy food but choose to eat at a restaurant anyway?
Good for you! Praise the Lord!
I think you get the picture.
My sweet friend's wise mother had the gift of perspective. She knew that the Lord had been so good to her and to her family. She also had the wisdom to help her children overcome the very real problems in their life by turning their thoughts to praise versus pouting.
I think about that conversation all the time. I thought about it a few Sundays ago when my family left church and my kids got in a huge fight over where we would eat lunch. My husband and I got fed up and came home to eat--hopefully they learned a small lesson about being a bit more thankful for the treat of a restaurant meal.
I think about my friend's mom when I hear statistics like these:
80% of the people on this planet live on less than $10 per day.
According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die around the world each day due to poverty.
Around 27-28 percent of the children of the world are underweight or stunted.
Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their name.
Of the 2.2 billion children in the world, 1 billion live in poverty.
These statistics are overwhelming and make my heart hurt. They also humble me in gratitude to the King of Glory. My mother used to say to us all the time, "To whom much is given, much is required." We have been so richly blessed.
As this time of year rolls around, families draw together to enjoy delicious food and give thanks to our Creator. It is also a time of giving and sharing. But when we hear statistics about the overwhelming vastness of need on the planet, we can begin to feel overwhelmed and feel so small.
What difference can I make for one billion children?
Maybe I can't make a difference for a billion children, but I can make a difference for a few.
Mission Athens is hosting a night of service tonight at Central. Please come and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal and service of psalms and songs as we praise the God of goodness who has so richly blessed us. We also will be collecting canned and non perishable food items for the food bank at LCCI.
A few weeks ago, I was dropping off some food at LCCI, and I met a woman there who was getting food for her young children who were also with her. She had a hard time looking anyone in the eye, but she finally looked at me and whispered "thank you."
I immediately whispered my own prayer of thanks to my heavenly Father that I am in a position to share. We all have so much we can share, and together we CAN make a difference for our neighbors right here in Athens, AL.
As Mother Theresa famously said, "If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one."
As Thanksgiving comes around this year, take a moment to think about your perspective. Do you really count your blessings in the way my friend's mom taught her? I know that I need to do it more often. We also all have the opportunity to share our abundance with others, and I pray that you and your family will find some small way to help someone in need this holiday season.
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