Thankful With an Exclamation Point!

As I was driving down a busy street to the grocery store today, I glanced in my rearview mirror. A white pickup truck was dangerously close to the backend of my vehicle and was driving in an erratic and swerving manner. I watched and prayed as the white truck appeared confused at where it should be on the road and as the driver "pretended" not to see my looming SUV in front of him. Because I was trapped between the pickup and the line of cars in front of me and beside me, there would be nowhere to go if the pickup decided to crash into the back of me.

Fortunately, I approached the turning lane and removed myself from the path of the pickup truck. As I turned into the grocery store parking lot, I realized how something I hadn't given much thought to - driving to the store - could have turned out to have distastrous effects. I thanked God that He had kept me safe even while I was driving a mere two and a half miles from my home.

Sometimes we forget to thank God for the small things. We remember the big things...the time He healed us from a serious illness; the time we arrived safely to a destination by plane; the time a loved one finally made the decision for Christ. But sometimes, we forget the "small" everyday things He does for us. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to touch on that topic.

My youngest daughter, Doodle, has just started reading. I love to listen as she sounds out the words and reads her chapter book for homework, followed by her beginning reader's Bible each night. One thing I especially love is that when she sees an exclamation point at the end of a sentence, she says it with such feeling and expression. Her voice raises, her smile widens, and she reads with such enthusiasm. If she doesn't see the exclamation point right off, she "rewinds" and reads the sentence again with the proper emotion, then giggles as she does so. I delight in listening almost as much as she delights in reading! Books have become so much more exciting when Doodle reads them. I'm so thankful she and Sunshine are both becoming such proficient readers.

Doodle's reading reminded me of how I should thank God with enthusiasm. Big things or minor things, I should thank Him with emotion that says I have a grateful and humbled heart toward His many blessings.

Lon recently returned from a business trip to Texas and as I heard him pull into the driveway, I thanked God for his safe return. I reminded myself that I need to thank God for this not just the day Lon returned home safely, but for days to come. As I put my children in bed last night, I thanked the Lord for keeping them safe and for allowing me the greatest earthly presents - to be a wife and a mother. As I ate lunch today at my daugthers' school during hot lunch, I thanked God that no one choked or had any severe allergic reactions. Each morning, I spend time in prayer and thank the Lord for letting me wake up for yet another day to bring glory to Him and His Kingdom. I even thanked God yesterday that I don't drive a school bus for a living. Since I have a depth perception problem, this could have serious consequences (for more info, see the Big Trucks entry).

So today (and everyday) I encourage you to give thanks to the Creator for a multitude of things that He has done for you. Can you walk? Thank Him - many are confined to wheelchairs. Can you talk? Thank Him. Many can't. Can you read? Thank Him. Even in the U.S. we have a literacy problem. Did you wake up this morning? Thank Him that you have another day to spend serving the One who sent His Son for you. Did you make it to work/school safely today? Thank Him for that. Many vehicle accidents happen everyday and you could have been involved in one. Did you kids and spouse return home safely after a day at work or school? Thank Him for keeping the ones you love most safe. Do you have family and friends who love you? Thank Him. Many are alone. Are you healthy or somewhat healthy? Thank Him. Many are suffering from life-threatening illnesses. And finally, do you belong to Him? Thank Him. Many in today's world still don't know the eternal life found through Jesus Christ our Savior.

I am vowing to thank God with all my heart. And just like Doodle who reads the sentences with the exclamation points with such enthusiasm, I vow to be grateful with an exclamation point as well!