“You’re too thankful!” I wanted to think that was a compliment, but I couldn’t be sure. My friend piled the pieces of the broken dishes in her hands.
“I’m just thankful we weren’t in the way when they fell. We could have been really hurt.”
“There’s nothing to be thankful for. These antique plates are gone.” She slammed the shards into the trash.
I been called a lot of things in my lifetime, but being too thankful was never one. In fact, I wasn’t really sure what my friend meant.
Who hasn’t had rough times? I learned years ago, amid a divorce and being a single parent, I had a lot to be thankful for–despite the hardships. I had my children, breath in my body, a family that loved me. By all due rights, I had plenty to be thankful for.
Paul told of his own hardships–shipwrecked, imprisoned, starved, and fearing for his life. Still he was grateful and thankful for all he did have. He realized the many ways God provided for him as he traveled and ministered. When he was hungry and in prison, folks fed him. When he was shipwrecked, he was saved and safe. There was never a question from where his care came.
I’m pleased to be “too” thankful. Throughout my personal hardships, God has carried me, provided for me, and cared for me. There were times I should have sank to the bottom, but didn’t. Why was that? I’m sure there are lots of reasons, but I’d like to think it’s because I’d prayed faithfully, believed wholeheartedly, and thanked Him for whatever the outcome. After all, God can take anything from weak to strong.
Sometimes being thankful is the hardest thing we can ever attempt to do, but it’s part of the honing process. It’s learning to submit, not to failure, but to a God who is in control. It’s seeing the fruit that comes from the pruning and then being humbled at how God knew our needs and provided.
On this Thanksgiving Day, make thankfulness the first words you speak to the Father who provides you, not with everything you want, but with everything you need. When you seek thankfulness, great strength will come. It’s not an insult to be too thankful. It’s very pleasing to the God who cares for you daily.
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Cindy K. Sproles is a best-selling, award-winning author. She is a speaker and a conference teacher who teaches nationwide. Cindy is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries, www.christiandevotions.us, and www.inspireafire.com. She serves as a writing mentor with WRAMS (Writing Write Author Mentoring Service) and is the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com.