Made in His image

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  CEB

16 Rejoice always. 

17 Pray continually. 

18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

During our churches Vacation Bible School, I had the pleasure of being in the kitchen  As the children came through the line I watch as parents worked with their children on having good manners.  Some, when asking for their selection, had to be reminded to say “please.”  At times, the parent holds the plate as they say several times, “Now what do you say?” until the child finally says, “please.”  

Other times the “please” is almost automatic and often I heard a “good job” from the parent.  

The cutest exchange I saw was when the child did not want either selection we offered.  The parent said, “You have to choose one.”  After much resistance the choice was made.  The parent said, “Now what do you say?”  The child replied, “Why do I have to say thank you for something I don’t want.”  Mom politely said, “Because you are lucky enough to have something to eat, you are lucky that there are people here to cook this food, and besides it is the right thing to do.”  With a sullen, stormy look, the server got a “thank you” to which she replied, with just a trace of a smile, “your welcome.”

This entire exchange made me think of the words rom Thessalonians where we are encouraged to give thanks in all situations.  I picture myself being at times like that pouting child saying or thinking, “Why do I have to give thanks for this?”  We can easily list the things in life that do not spark any feelings of gratitude.  Among them are  illness, loss, anxiety and fear.  No, we may not give thanks for the specific negative things that are impacting our lives, but like the child in that situation, God wants us to pull back from the immediate moment and look at life in a broader context. 

When we do we see that we are lucky to have a loving God who is with us in this dark time and that there are loving friends and family supporting us.  

I now have a new image to hold when I come to those times where I want to sulk instead of give thanks.  I am going to picture God as that loving parent standing beside me, reminding me of all the things that are going well in my life, even in the midst of the storm,  encouraging me to say thank you.  And if I resist, God will help me see the big picture but most of all remind me, “Besides it its the right, the gracious, and loving thing to do.”

Just like the child who beamed when praised for using their good manners, I want to bask in God’s loving smile when I am at my best and doing and saying what God is trying to teach me to do.  I want to hear, “Good job!”

Life can be challenging, and it my be hard to find gratitude in the moment, but remembering that God is beside me, encouraging me to see the good in life will help those words of thanks to come a little quicker. Don’t we all want to live knowing our heavenly parent is pleased because we are doing what we have been taught to do?

Let us pray:

Loving God, we remember that you are always beside us, encouraging us and wanting us to be our best.  This loving presence is enough for us to say thank you this day and every day, no matter what might be happening in life.  AMEN.  

This devotion was written by Bill Green and read by Amy Large.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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