STILL BEING THANKFUL

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I've been thinking about the pilgrims lately. They went through a lot of tough stuff early on in their American history. I think that the pilgrims really understood what is meant by the above verse found in 1 Thessalonians. Perhaps what they understood is that the Bible does not call them to be thankful for all things, but in all things. We can always be thankful that God is with us and has a greater plan in mind than we can see or imagine.

I'm writing this coming from the hospital. Deanna and I went in again to have her contractions monitored (the second time this week). Everything ended up okay, I guess. They ended up putting her on bed-rest and changing her prescription drug to slow the contractions. The thing is that, no matter how insignificant or quick the visit may be to the doctors and nurses, it always seems like a big deal when you are the "Daddy" and you are concerned for your new unborn baby and mother.

I'm also writing this as I see a lot of people that are surrounding me going through some pretty tough stuff.

Thankfulness is an attitude. It is a condition of the heart.

I am thankful for my soon-to-be newborn baby and Deanna. I am thankful for Amy, who stayed at our house and watched our girls while we were there. I am thankful for my parents who, I know, have been praying for me since I was a baby boy. Come to think of it, there is a lot more thankfulness in my heart than I maybe give myself credit for.

I do want to be careful, though, and make sure that I always do my best to keep my heart conditioned to be thankful. God help me...