Giving Thanks

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for that is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16

Miss M unknowingly caught my attention this week when she was having some free art time and misspelled the card she was making.  I'm so used to seeing the word "Thanksgiving" that I often gloss over the true meaning, even at this time of year.  But when I read what she had accidentally written, I immediately asked myself, "For what have I GIVEN thanks?"  I asked myself if I was giving God thanks for everything or just the things that I liked?  It's easy to thank God for all the good things in life.  Thankfulness for the good stuff rolls off our tongues so easily.  And grumbling rolls off the tongue just as easily.  Probably more easily some days. 

Am I thankful for the times when my children are at each other's throats?  No. 

Am I thankful for the times I'm disorganized and can't seem to keep on top of any single project I've started?  No. 

Am I thankful when my car won't start and we're late getting somewhere?  No. 

Am I thankful for children who wake me up in the middle of the night for various reasons, keeping me from getting a full night's sleep?  For several weeks?!?  No. 

Am I thankful for expensive medical tests and doctor's visits that are straining the budget to the breaking point?  No. 

Should I be thankful for all of these things?  YES!  I should be thankful my children are healthy enough to fight with each other.  I should be thankful that God has everything under control, even when I don't (and also that there will be no paperwork in heaven.)  I should be thankful that I even have a car to drive.  I should be thankful that my children like to snuggle with me, even if it's in the middle of the night.  I should be thankful I live in a country where medical care is so accessible. 

Because I am a sinner, I know that most days I'll probably still grumble more than I'll rejoice, but I pray God will continue to help me see the areas of my life where I've given thanks and the areas where I still need to.