The big “thing” or fad on Facebook right now is the
challenge for every day in November to write something you are grateful
for. If you all remember I challenged
you to do this for the 40 days after Easter leading up to Pentecost. And the interesting thing is that most of
these posts are very general, in fact if I was to categorize them I would say
they are: list of people, usually spouses or children; extended family;
weather; money; jobs; you get the picture.
I have been challenging us on Sundays to share an grateful
or giving moment we experienced in that week that showed God moving in our
lives. I could give up on this, but I shall not…for I believe you are all
experiences God.
The realization I have come to is that we are not doing
enough self-examining. As a society and
as individual we are so caught up in our busy lives – in our technology that
keeps us connected, in the mindless television that doesn’t miss an hour and in
our 9-5 jobs. We have completely
forgotten how to really look at our lives and not only examine but see where
there is room for thankful hearts. We
also in this world of connectedness get ourselves lost in the mindset of: “well
mind isn’t important”
BUT you are important! As is your story! As is where God has helped you! These things all matter. No matter how “insignificant” your experience
may feel, it not only matters to God but it could mean the WORLD to someone else.
On Facebook this week I also read this, it didn’t have to do
with the November days of thanksgiving, but was instead a true story of
blessing and encouragement. A friend ran
out of gas getting off an exit. He knew
he was low but was running on fumes “in order to get to a cheaper gas station”
He thought he had enough but he was wrong.
It was kind-of cold as he began his walk to the gas station. He wasn’t 5 feet in front of his car when
someone pulled over and offered him a ride.
On the ride to the gas station he found out that this person was a
traveling pharmaceutical sales person and was on his way to his next
appointment, right across from the gas station.
After he filled the gas tank the young sales person drove him back to
his car. On the ride back, he found out
that he was adopted through Catholic Family Services when he was a young kid
and it was this family that helped him overcome some pretty tough
challenges.
God is a glorious God.
This friend has adopted several children and several who struggle each
day. His hope is that he is impacting
their lives. He also was very thankful
to have had a ride instead of having to make that walk.
His story is profound, his story is impacting other’s lives
and I’m thankful that he shared it. He
could have shared he was thankful for strangers but instead he shared this
beautiful story. He could have decided
that this story wasn’t very significant because really it only showed his own
foolishness in running out of gas, but instead he let the voice in the story be
heard.
Let your own voice be heard. Examine your day and be thankful – be proud
of your thanksgiving – that God does amazing and glorious things in our lives.
