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I am Thankful… Period!


            As I returned from my annual pilgrimage to the “Majestic’s Car Show” in Regina over the weekend, Sara asked, “So, how was your day?”

            “It was fun”, I responded.  “I had a good time with the guys and there was a lot of cool stuff there, especially at the swap meet.”  

            Then it started.  “I wish, though, that I could have visited with this one drag racer guy.  I had some questions for him, but he was too busy to talk.  And it would have been better if this silly snow was gone, so I could have ridden the motorcycle up there.  Oh, speaking of motorcycles, when we got to the motorcycle shop, it was closed.  That was sad!  I got to see my brother, my nephew and a couple of good buddies, but I didn’t really have a lot of time to visit with them.  And then….”

            Why do we do that?  Why do we feel the need to point out all the things that were “wrong” or the things that we did not like?  I hear it all the time.  Whether talking about their jobs, their kids, their church or something as simple as going to a car show, people often say something like, “It was ok, but….”

            What if we got rid of the “but” part?  What would it be like if we could just take things as they are and be thankful for them?  How would our perspective change if we did not feel the need to point out every imperfection and flaw?

            At the start of his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul says, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (1:3).   He goes on to say, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart… God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (verses 6-8). 

            Notice that there is nothing there but thanksgiving and positive stuff.  He does not say, “I thank my God for you, but....”  Paul simply says, “I am thankful”… period!

            Does that mean that these people were perfect?  Of course not!  In fact, later in the letter, Paul does straighten out a few of their problems, but those issues are not his major focus.  Instead, throughout the letter, Paul’s thoughts center on what he appreciates about them and why he is thankful for their presence in his life.

            Maybe we should learn to do that too. 

            Peace and joy come when we can see our blessings without having to say “Yes, but….”

            What is on your “I am thankful… period!” list?

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