Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Would you know him who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fast most; it is not he who gives most alms; but it is he who is always thankful to God, who receives everything as an instance of God’s goodness and has a heart always ready to praise God for it.
If anyone would tell you the shortest, surest way to all happiness and perfection, he must tell you to make a rule to thank and praise God for everything that happens to you. Whatever seeming calamity happens to you, if you thank and praise God for it, it turns into a blessing. Could you therefore work miracles, you could not do more for yourself than by this thankful spirit; it turns all that it touches into happiness.”
William Law in 1729 in his treatise entitled A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life as recounted in a new book I am reading, compiled by Robert Atwell, Celebrating the Saints (SCM: Norwich, 2004) ii.
While I am grateful that everyone has recently shared my joy regarding the recent addition to the family, I must acknowledge I am personally going through an unexpectedly hard time in my personal life.
It’s as hard and knotty as this wood floor. I won’t go into the details, but what I will say is that after spending solitude with God, I am giving thanks for this “calamity” because it is His will for me in Christ Jesus.
Late yesterday I prayed for a miracle, and then I read this. I found what I was looking for. Not people who fail me, but gracious God whose unfailing love endures forever, and whose generosity is boundless.
God, thanks for the good times, and the hard times. Each teaches us something new about your generosity and love. Cause a thankful spirit to positions us to work miracles. Hear my prayer in Jesus name. Amen.