Albert Einstein: "In the middle of every difficulty lies an opportunity." (...an opportunity to give thanks.)

My Monday started with a financial distaster all because of a very simple error in my money managing. Then, as if the green stuff wasn't already stressing me enough, my laptop crashed, landing me a mountain of a bill. Add in the general pressures of everyday life and responsibilities, and you've got a pretty exasperated Raylene. "How will I pay for this???" "These things ALWAYS happens at the worst times!" "I need this computer NOW." "I never have enough money in life!" "This is inconveniant and stupid!!" Pretty standard self-oriented reactions...

"Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you n Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18) This verse has been screaming at me. "Umm, duh! I've heard that my whole life. I'm thankful! I've got a car, an apartment, a family. Leave me alone! I counted my blessings already!" Hmm...I mean, I made my blessings list, called thankfulness done for the day, and moved on to my usual "what will I do??", "I can't handle this!", and "I don't need this situation right now!".

But this verse says "in everything." So, I'm out a thousand or so dollars and I'm supposed to say, "I'm so thankful that just happened!!"? I'm confused. Not really seeing any blooming flowers in this garden.

But lucky me I stumbled over Psalm 46:1 today. It definitely shut up some of my complaints and got me thinking over thankfulness..."I am your refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in trouble." So maybe I can be thankful for something - when I'm in trouble, I'm not alone. Then this verse reminded me of Isaiah 41:10: "Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will help you." So, I can be incredibly thankful that I don't have to be afraid for the things I want to worry about, knowing that God has a plan. For crying out loud, He made the world and everything in it! He can't guide me through a little financial tiff? Maybe that's the greatest thing to be thankful for right now - that He reminded of His power and wisdom through this "inconveniant and stupid" experience in my week. So it seems I have a lot to be thankful for when I look at this financial difficulty. I feel better already!

So here I am with one just one thing out of one day - out of the millions of things in 364 days. Wow, there must be a lot of things to thank God for all the time. In fact, is there enough time to thank Him for it all? Thank God we have eternity to keep thanking Him!

Happy Thanksgiving :-)