Give Thanks Always
It is easy at times to wonder if God is really for us or against us. After moving to new facilities in 1995, we encountered numerous problems in getting everything fully operational.
In two weeks we planned to have mats installed in the foyers of each classroom. The mats would house the student’s muddy winter boots. In two weeks we planned to have an organized system for staggered recesses so the children could get some exercise in the church auditorium. In two weeks we would have a quote for putting asphalt down for sidewalks. In two weeks the furnaces would have had a thorough tune up. In other words, in two weeks time we would have been ready for some "early" snow. We just needed two weeks...
But we didn’t have two weeks time. The snow came yesterday.
My first thought was, "I don't need this, God." My second thought was, "Obviously, I do need this!" I have learned over the years that our Loving Father is not nearly so concerned about the mess that we’re in as He is about the mess that we are. He is far more interested in the character of his people than in their comfort.
So, the snow arrived yesterday, and we were caught in the cold. We traipsed through muck and mud where there were no sidewalks – not even quotes for sidewalks, and aligned our muddy shoes in the classroom foyers where there were no mats. We shivered at our desks in our jackets when we should have been revelling in the heat from our furnaces. And the questions poured in about our un-staggered recesses.
That same day I went to a Principals' meeting and returned without my keys. I needed those keys both to drive home and get my work. I had to call my wife to come pick me up, and I couldn't retrieve my work, and – and . . . “I don’t need this!” I moaned once again to the Lord…
Obviously, I did need this. Thank you Lord, for once again reminding me that You are in complete control of everything.
I am a slow learner, but over the years I have learned to look to God for the lessons He wishes to teach. Let us not first grumble as they did in the wilderness, but let us first pray and ask for God's wisdom, grace, and strength to endure and learn from every situation. God Himself commands us to rejoice always and give thanks in every circumstance.
So, it was a good day to be reminded that God is in control of my schedule. It was a good day to remember that while I may want to get the buildings in tip-top shape, God wants the hearts of the people who work in those buildings in tip top shape…. Starting with me! So, I give thanks for learning once again about peace, patience, trust, and contentment. Isn’t God good?
In two weeks we planned to have mats installed in the foyers of each classroom. The mats would house the student’s muddy winter boots. In two weeks we planned to have an organized system for staggered recesses so the children could get some exercise in the church auditorium. In two weeks we would have a quote for putting asphalt down for sidewalks. In two weeks the furnaces would have had a thorough tune up. In other words, in two weeks time we would have been ready for some "early" snow. We just needed two weeks...
But we didn’t have two weeks time. The snow came yesterday.
My first thought was, "I don't need this, God." My second thought was, "Obviously, I do need this!" I have learned over the years that our Loving Father is not nearly so concerned about the mess that we’re in as He is about the mess that we are. He is far more interested in the character of his people than in their comfort.
So, the snow arrived yesterday, and we were caught in the cold. We traipsed through muck and mud where there were no sidewalks – not even quotes for sidewalks, and aligned our muddy shoes in the classroom foyers where there were no mats. We shivered at our desks in our jackets when we should have been revelling in the heat from our furnaces. And the questions poured in about our un-staggered recesses.
That same day I went to a Principals' meeting and returned without my keys. I needed those keys both to drive home and get my work. I had to call my wife to come pick me up, and I couldn't retrieve my work, and – and . . . “I don’t need this!” I moaned once again to the Lord…
Obviously, I did need this. Thank you Lord, for once again reminding me that You are in complete control of everything.
I am a slow learner, but over the years I have learned to look to God for the lessons He wishes to teach. Let us not first grumble as they did in the wilderness, but let us first pray and ask for God's wisdom, grace, and strength to endure and learn from every situation. God Himself commands us to rejoice always and give thanks in every circumstance.
So, it was a good day to be reminded that God is in control of my schedule. It was a good day to remember that while I may want to get the buildings in tip-top shape, God wants the hearts of the people who work in those buildings in tip top shape…. Starting with me! So, I give thanks for learning once again about peace, patience, trust, and contentment. Isn’t God good?