Everything

I've been reading The Mitford Series for some time now (about 6 months). I just finished book 8 and only have one more to read before the series is over. I'm very sad about it...I feel as though I'm going to lose a great set of friends! Amazing how a good author can pull you into the plot of a novel emotionally. Every book I feel has had a wonderful lesson on some aspect of life. I actually think this series has been better than any of the self-help books I'm famous for reading.

Book 8's "lesson" I believe (or maybe it was meant just for me) was on forgiveness, understanding, and prayer. In his last sermon in the book Father Tim reminded us of 4 words. "In everything give thanks." Some may say that the key word in this verse is thanks...I think it's EVERYTHING. I'm good at giving thanks when it comes to the easy stuff...not so good at remembering to thank God for the hard stuff. The stuff that I wish wasn't happening. This is the prayer that Father Tim wanted us (his congregation - I'm a part of it you know!) to pray.

"Father, I don't know why You're causing, or allowing this hard thing to happen, but I'm going to give thanks in it because You ask me to. I'm going to trust You have a purpose for it that I can't know and may never know. Bottom line is You're God - and that's good enough for me."

When I read this prayer it really hit home with me. I questioned myself...do I thank God when money is so tight I wonder when we'll be able to go grocery shopping again? Did I thank God when he took 2 of my babies away from me? Do I thank God when Hunter is not behaving and I am at my wit's end? Do I thank Him when Graysen is not sleeping and I can't even remember how many times I got up to feed her the night before? These are the things in my life that have stretched me to become a better person. To become more perfect. In James 1 it talks about going through trials to be stretched and become more perfect. I want to be perfect in God's eyes...and if it's these things that have to happen to make me a bigger, better person...I will thank God for them.

The verse tells us give thanks in EVERYTHING. Actually - the entire verse is this: "In everything give thanks...for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Wow - so absolute. So straight forward. Often times I pray to know the will of God...to have Him show me his will so that I may understand the things I am experiencing. Here it is stated for me...His will is for me to give thanks. No matter the situation, good, bad, comfortable, uncomfortable, high or low...give thanks.

I'm going to try.