I gave Rae her car back today. I was so thankful for her generosity of lending me her convertible. The kids kept begging me to put the top down, but I resisted. 1. It’s been averaging in the 40’s this week. 2. I was scared I wouldn’t be able to get the darn thing back in place. I may have to borrow it for a day in the Spring. 😉
As we were driving to church this morning, I was deep in thought about this week and chatting with God in my head:
Me: Well God, thank you for bringing Benny and Max home safely, and thank you for a renewed hope for us, but I’m still anxious to hear how all of this car stuff is going to work out.
God: Do you miss Benny’s car?
Me: Well no, why?
God: Do you have what you need?
Me: Well yes, technically I do. We have this van that you provided.
God: Do you trust me?
Me: Sometimes. (Hey! I can’t lie to God. He KNOWS, you know?)
God: I’m not done yet…
Me: O.K., then I’m good. I’ll keep waiting.
Then He spoke to me again through the lesson. The Pastor pointed out that the first Thanksgiving was the early settlers stopping to thank God that they weren’t starving. Good point. I’m not starving and neither is my family. Thank you God for your provision. We talked about examples of Jesus giving thanks: When he fed the 5,000 and the food was multiplied to feed everyone present and still have food left over, and when he raised Lazarus from the dead, he thanked God for hearing his prayer, then called Lazarus out of the tomb. We talked about Philippians 4:6,7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
God does amazing things with thanksgiving. Like he did for the early settlers, he provides for our needs. Like he did for the feeding of the 5,000, he takes what is generously offered/given and multiplies it. Like he did with Lazarus, he restores life.
I really don’t miss the car. The couple we gave it to needed it more than we did, and I am thankful God used us to answer somebody else’s prayer. How many times has he done that for us? I have invited people over not knowing how I was going to be able to feed everyone, and God has somehow multiplied the food or our money so we could provide the food. I have experienced being dead inside only to be called back to life. I love and serve a God who is all about abundance. Not a short-sighted prosperity gospel, but true abundance through the workings of his people giving to each other and to those who need good news.
Here’s my lesson for today: He will bless us as we continue to give him thanks and bless others with what he has given us. And he will provide another car for us. Somehow. I believe it. I have his peace, and I am so thankful!
What are you thankful for this week?
Sometimes I Write 
This is good stuff, Niki! Where did you attend church? Sounds like the perfect sermon for you.
My church this weekend was The Feast of Saint Bertie by Kathleen Poppa. I missed actually attending somewhere, but this novel was one of those rare ones that feed me deep inside. You should come over and borrow it. ;o) And I’d like to hang out this week. We’re taking some time off school for the holiday. When is your day off?
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