Yesterday, while entering the grocery store, a most unusual experience happened. As a woman passed me in the aisle, I heard her quietly say something. Three or four seconds later my aging mind finally translated her comment. This unknown person had simply said, “I like your sweater.”
The Lord sometimes cranks up my brain rather slowly. I whirled around, mumbling the words, “Thank you.” The problem, however, was that by the time my mouth went into action, the sweet lady with eagle eyes, was our of hearing range. My tardy response was too soft. The words just drifted into the surrounding displays of apples, red peppers, and turnips.
I had good intentions to show my appreciation, but the words were not heard. Actually, I was rather shocked, but I must admit, a bit delighted. My red, fuzzy sweater had just received the second compliment of the day. Never, that I can remember, had some unknown individual complimented my attire in a public place, as I casually pushed a grocery cart between the aisles. I’m quite certain she did not anticipate a verbal response from me, even though the words were spoken with a mix of surprise and appreciation.
As I reflected on the incidence the next morning, while taking my shower, my mind drifted a bit. Could I be treating the Lord in a similar fashion? No, I hasten to clarify. God has not been paying me compliments on my attire, so what could I possibly mean? Stop and think.
An ‘ancient’ hymn perhaps summarizes the situation. ‘Count your blessings. Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what God has done.’ To name but a few personal blessings, I recall healing from major heart surgery, or food to eat three hundred and sixty-five day a year. What about safe travel for thousands of miles of driving. I can’t think of a time recently when I sent a word of thanks to God for watching over some over-seas missionary friends in tenuous situations . You must be assured however, that a few traffic tickets for speeding have been accumulated over the years. I would really have appreciated His power in keeping the givers of those ‘gifts’ something else to be focusing on as my car sped by.
I have recently prayed to God to quickly heal a friend, to provide financial support for a student I know in financial need, and to provide me with a more calm spirit. I’ve requested but then, you guessed it, when healing or peace and calm wrapped their arms around the suffering person, I’ve apparently been too self-focused to remember to swiftly say, “Thank you God for using your power to figure out an appropriate solution to my prayer request”. I just took for granted that He would take action, but He never received a ‘thank you card.
Daniel and his experience spending an evening with a group of cats, well, really lions, came to mind. Jealous administrators got King Darius to accept an idea for a new decree. Any one praying to a god or human, other than King Darius, during the next thirty days, would spend the night in a cage of cats. As you remember, Daniel immediately, after hearing the decree, went home to his upstairs room. The window opened for anyone to see his next action. Daniel 6:10b tells the story. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Yes, Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, even though the King was extremely sad that courageous Daniel was caught praying, as he was his top advisor. Early the following morning the king dashed down to the den to check on Daniel. I’m certain the king was fearful there would only be some scraps of clothes remaining of his servant. What a surprise awaited him! Daniel swiftly reported that God had sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. He was safe.
I have no doubt what Daniel had already done, even prior to the King’s arrival and his release from the purring kitties. He prayed. Remember, he had a habit of praying THREE times a day, giving thanks to God. He did not stand ‘dumbly by’ trying to figure out what had happened, as I did that day in the store. He recognized the power of God and expressed his appreciation.
Now, I must say, that my tardiness in expressing ‘thank you’ for someone saying they liked my colorful garment is not a serious sin. It was, however, a great wake-up for me. I must add words of thanks, along with my requests to God for help, healing, or heart healthy hamburgers. Yes, and I know He will hear those words, even if I just whisper.
Won’t you join me in becoming more acutely aware of the need to express our thanks to the Giver of all gifts?
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
PS: I was unable to get a shot of Daniel in the den with the lions, so selected one I took during a trip to Chobe National Park in 2015.
Kathryn Ransom 