Ephesians 5:20 "Always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)
I had been working at the computer all day, finishing
up a writing assignment. My eyes were tired and dry, but I had an important
evening appointment. Since I live in LA — Los Angeles, California, USA — there
was only one way to get there: on the freeway (or the expressway, as they say
back east).
Now, there are two things that freeway drivers can't
abide: traffic jams and big trucks. Both slow you down, and no LA driver puts up
easily with that.
But I had to get there, so I used some eyedrops and
set out to brave the infamous Golden State Freeway 5. Halfway there, I realized
that I'd forgotten to bring my eyedrops. Blinking and peering resolutely out of
the top of my bifocals, I made it to my appointment. But then, I had to get
home. My eyes continued painful and dry until just as I hit the onramp, when my
vision went blurry.
In front of me was a large truck. As long as I stayed
behind that truck, I could see to keep in my lane, if he didn't go too fast. And
what should we encounter at that very moment but a traffic jam! All the way
home, I drove slowly, staying behind one truck or another, keeping my car in
line with its tail lights. When I finally turned safely onto my street, I
breathed a sigh of relief and a prayer: "Lord, I have never said this before and
probably never will again, but thank You for traffic jams and big trucks!"
Most of us are familiar with the many verses that tell
us to give thanks, but we're not sure that God really means it. Always giving
thanks for everything? Really? Even amid things that bring us pain and
frustration? Yes. God wants us to be thankful through trials, big and small, to
teach us patience, to stop us grumbling, and even to keep us safe on the
freeway. When we give thanks, we show how much we trust Him.
So, keep in mind today that God may be using the very
circumstances that annoy you to do you good. And give thanks!
Prayer: Dear Lord, we give thinks for the things that
frustrate us, for the circumstances that slow us down, and for the people who
try our patience. We thank You for the growth and the good that You will bring
from our trials if we do not lose heart. In the name of Jesus, we thankfully
pray. Amen.
Sylvia Alloway, Granada Hills, California, USA
Thanks to
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