"give thanks in all circumstances. . . " ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I was ranting and raving in my prayer closet about the latest series of letters from our town's Neighborhood Services about our tall grass. I was feeling put out and persecuted because we have had a couple of lawn mowers stolen recently and it's rained too, which has put a damper on mowing. It was hard to be thankful in those circumstances and I was letting God know my feelings.
In the children's book by Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna plays the glad game. She finds something to be glad about despite the circumstances. Her father, a missionary, began playing the "game" with her when after requesting a doll, the missionary barrel contained only crutches. He said that she should be happy (thankful) she didn't have to use them.
So as I was standing, praying at my kitchen sink, the thought came to mind that perhaps I should thank the Neighborhood Services Department for doing their job. What? Me thank the Department? No way, that was too radical!
Prayer: Lord I'm not feeling very thankful at the moment for the employees of the Neighborhood Services department. Show me where my attitude has gone wrong and renew a right spirit within me. And may the card I made bless them. In Jesus name, Amen!
Today’s Quote: “At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, I can hardly think of a disappointment that you can’t turn around into a good situation. It sets you off on a different track, & there’s nothing wrong with that. It just makes you look at things differently.” ~ Mary Engelbreit.
