Two Lists

Bible Reading: Psalm 100:4-5; 107:31-32

Marcus picked up a pen and drew a line down the middle of a piece of paper to make two columns. His Sunday school teacher had asked the class to bring in a list of things they were thankful for and a list of things they were not so thankful for. Let’s see…I’m thankful for Mom and Dad, thought Marcus. He wrote “parents” on his thankful list. And I’m thankful for my dog and my friends and for food and for my new shoes. I’m thankful for our church too, and especially for Jesus. Marcus’s list of things to be thankful for was getting long. There are so many things, it will take a while to write them all down, he thought. I’d better start on the things I’m not thankful for.

Marcus remembered how his mom had sent him to his room for telling a lie. He wrote “discipline” in the second column on the paper. And, uh…oh, I know! Memorizing verses. I hate memorizing. Marcus quickly wrote “memorization” on the list of things he wasn’t thankful for. Chores, he thought. I don’t like doing chores either.

Marcus’s sister Malia sat down beside him and looked at his list. “If you’re thankful for parents, you should be thankful for discipline,” she said. “You should be glad they care enough to discipline you when you do wrong things.”

Marcus scowled. “Well, I’m not,” he muttered.

“Then I don’t think you’re thankful enough for Mom and Dad,” said Malia.

After his sister left, Marcus reluctantly crossed out “discipline.” A Bible verse popped into his mind. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He sighed. Well, that verse sure blows the idea of listing things I’m not thankful for! Because we know Jesus uses everything in our lives to help us grow and know Him better, we’re supposed to be thankful for it all. After a moment, he grinned. But this will save me lots of time. He crossed out the words in both columns on the paper. Then, on the side of things to be thankful for, he wrote in big letters: “EVERYTHING!” Ruth I. Jay

How About You?

Do you thank God for everything? Maybe you hate to study, a parent lost their job, or you didn’t get the new bike you want. Did you give thanks anyway? The Bible says to give thanks for everything. Even when you don’t understand why things happen, trust God to work them out in the best possible way. Trust Him to care for you, and give thanks.

Today’s Key Verse:
Ephesians 5:20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ERV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Give thanks for everything