Day 2 of Thanksgiving

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

I do not want to trivialize the importance of being thankful for my family, home, food, clothes, comfort...I am, I really really am thankful for the wonderful blessings of God. But I have been thinking of the importance of being thankful for everything in my life.

I remembered reading years ago the account of Corrie Ten Boon's life in a concentration camp during the reign of Hitler. In the book "The Hiding Place" she told of some deplorable conditions, but the one thing that really struck me was the story of an infestation of fleas in the barracks. Corrie's sister Betsy told her that they needed to thank God for everything including the fleas. Corrie couldn't believe that Betsy would even think of thanking God for the pests. But it was those fleas that kept the guards from doing inspections and because of that, they were able to keep a Bible, pray and share the love of God to all the women and children who lived with them.

How about the persecuted Christians in places like China who feel sorry for the Christians here in the United States. They thank God everyday for the opportunity to share in His suffering. They actually feel closer to Him and stronger because of it.

What is it in my life that I complain about but really need to be thankful for?

Moving back to Michigan when I didn't want to? Watching my father marry someone who I don't feel is a good choice for him? Having a son with disabilities? What about waiting in a long line when I have other things to do...