Not long ago Pastor Olsen in a Sunday sermon used the following illustration: While Corrie ten Boom was living in a German concentration camp, her entire body became infested with lice, making a bad situation worse. She was complaining about it one day, and her sister reminded her of the Bible verse that says, "In everything give thanks," and she challenged Corrie to give thanks for the lice. Corrie's response was, "How can I give thanks to God for lice?" But she made a choice to offer thanks for the lice anyway. Later, she found out that the lice had actually protected her from the assaults of the German soldiers.
It may take a while to learn but under the watchful eye of an all loving God even the most difficult of circumstances can be used by God to bring blessing. All things in life can work together for good ... under God's grace and blessing. (Rom. 28) In fact, the Apostle Paul writes and encourages us all to be more aggressive in our joy and thanksgiving and praise and prayers to God in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
At times it was difficult to be thankful for the lymphoma that has been in my body, or especially for the brain tumor and cancer that was in Joel's body. But I have come to learn and appreciate how God needed to get my attention to change some things in my life, and although I would not wish lymphoma or cancer on anybody else, it has certainly been a blessing in my life in numerous way. I thank God for the good He has worked.
The same can be said with reference to Joel. While hunting with him I asked him if he say any benefits in his ordeal with his former brain tumor and subsequent treatment of radiation and chemo (hopefully, prayerfully his last treatment will be December, 2005) and his response was, "Yes." He related how he saw that his life could have gone some directions that would not have been pleasing to God, how God spared him through this ordeal, how he views and values life differently now, how he wants to help his friends see what's really important, how he loves the Lord, what amazing people he's met through the process ... doctors and other patients and other families that have been affected by the disease ... and how in general he has been blessed by God. That is a faith answer and I pray that his faith continues to grow and his hunger for the Word continues.
Then, I have opportunity to see my wife, how strong and humble and courageous and committed she is to the Lord, and I am awed. Leah and James and Hannah -- all with their own unique struggles, victories and subsequent growth in life and in the Lord ... and again i am Thankful for how the Lord can work good and blessing even out of diffuculty and consequence.
I am thankful for the miraculous healing of my father, and for the example of how my mother stood/prayed by him continually. My father's continua witness to the goodnes and grace of God during these past months was exemplary to the hospital staff, the doctors, all that know and visited him, and expecially to myself and my family. God is amazing.
Yes, there will be much to be thankful for this coming Thanksgiving ... but there obviously is each and every hour of each and every day. How thankful I am, and ask God to make me continually, for His Son Jesus, my Savior, for His Word, and for how He keeps all ... ALL ... of His promises. Food, fun , football games ... will all be great. But knowing Jesus and seeing how He can work, and the hope He gives, and the love He has and floods us with ... for these let us give thanks always.
Happy Thanksgiving.
