(Selected grandchildren are displaying the attitude I sometimes have about life issues.)
Warning: this post may contain heresy. We already know it breaks the grammar rules with a dangling preposition.
When Corrie Ten Boom and her sister were living in a concentration camp, they learned to be thankful for the fleas that assaulted them day and night. The fleas kept the guards away and allowed the ladies to lead a Bible study on their bunks.
Such a beautiful illustration of “giving thanks for all things.” But, I simply cannot apply it to root canals. Or tornados. Or cancer. Or divorce.
I’m grateful for dentists with the skill to fix bad teeth. But I am not grateful for teeth that wear out when I’m not even halfway done with them and cost me $2000.00 in repairs. Not even.
I’m grateful for lessons learned through cancer. Grateful for victories won, prayers prayed, and people who loved beyond measure. But cancer is a six-letter word with a four-letter attitude and I will never, ever feel grateful for it.
I’m grateful for the heros who help after a disaster, and I’m grateful for the miracles God does for broken hearts. But, I’ll be a lot more grateful for that day when storms and striving cease. When God really does make all things new and nobody gets broken anymore.
So , while I struggle with these issues, I comfort myself by reading the King James version of this verse:
“in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” First Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV.
“In” everything give thanks. Not “for” everything give thanks. Yes, I know, some versions say “for.” I’m sticking with King James to make my point. I’m not a Bible Scholar, but I know enough to understand the original language might not help us out here. Paul’s sentence structure didn’t use prepositions the same way we do. So, it is hard to know which way he and the Holy Spirit actually meant these words.
Except we do know this: God meant us to be thankful. If not for the storm, if not for the disease, certainly for the One who could hold us and help us and heal us. Or receive us if we aren’t healed. Thankful for the journey when it leads us to Him. Thankful for the helpers along the way. Thankful for the solace of the Holy Spirit. Thankful for the promise of resurrection when the struggle is even unto death.
Thankful: In. For. Above. Beyond.
Just, thankful.
And, really, I am.