Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

This week I had two clear God sightings which involved being called to give thanks for things I did not want.
 
We had a 8:15 doctor appointment in Norwich on Tuesday and left in good time, but got stuck behind a school bus. It stopped at the neighbor’s; the student was waiting on the wrong side of the road, ambled over and slowly got on the bus, took his time to sit down.
 
On to the next house, where four children waited, again on the wrong side of the road. They took their sweet time crossing the road, in getting on the bus and getting seated. The bus then came to the stop sign, from where we could see the next student waiting with his mother in a car. They saw the bus, but the student did not get out; he waited til the bus stopped for him; even then he waited a while before getting out of the car.
 
I was getting more and more frustrated at these delays and the thoughtlessness of the students in being so slow; and I was now worried about being late for our appointment. Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to give thanks for this bus, for the situation, for the slow students. So I gritted my teeth and gave thanks, reminded myself that God has a plan and chose to rest in him.
 
Within a few seconds the bus pulled over to the side and the driver signaled for us to pass! Frustration gone! In my experience, that is a pretty rare thing for buses to do, and it came right after confessing my frustration and impatience and giving thanks! Truly, offering the sacrifice of thanksgiving opens the way that we may see the salvation of the Lord.
 
Then yesterday I was doing some plumbing work and couldn’t find the glue I’d bought the day before. I looked in several places to no avail. Then the Spirit reminded me to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving for this; I calmed down and shortly an idea came of where to look (an unusual place), and there was the glue!. Not only did it work out, but giving thanks allowed me to fulfill the purpose of my life: giving honor to God.
 
God is so kind to us, not only watching over us, but giving us a significant part in His plan, calling us to be partners with Him. And the primary way we do this is by giving thanks in and for all things.
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