A Different Kind Of Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)

On a recent trip which included visits to several places we had lived earlier in our married life, some things struck me as to how we might offer God a different kind of thanks.

There was the property we'd been offered at a good price and with good terms, but, not having had the down payment, we declined. Oh sure, we could probably have borrowed from family or a bank, but we chose not to. It wasn't something that we ever regretted, for just as it was prime property in the boom times, it would have been a tremendous burden when the economy took a dive.

In another town, my husband had arranged for a home for us to rent prior to our moving there. It was Christmas time. The moving truck was booked and we would be moving on January 2nd. We had two little children and were expecting our third. On December 24th, the owner called to say he had decided to live in the house so wouldn't be renting it out. It was a scramble to find another one, as rentals were scarce.

That was a move we didn't make which we never regretted, because the home to which we moved and subsequently bought was on a street filled with the most wonderful people — friends whom we may never have otherwise met. The other house would not have offered anywhere near the convenience to schools nor the friends and memories we made.

I've often thanked God for giving me those friends, those memories, those new opportunities. Perhaps it would also be appropriate to offer Him a different kind of thanks — thanks for all our missed opportunities, thanks, that in His wisdom, we were guided in a different direction.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, may we remember that all things work for the good, and to give thanks in all things — including those things which may not at first seem to be working out. We need only to trust in you, the Master Planner. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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