Thankful for the Day

This is my article from the front page of the February 411:

When we lived in St. Louis back in the early 90’s, I attended a men’s bible study with some members of our congregation. Each week we met on Tuesday to discuss the scripture lessons for the week. At the beginning of the study we always had a prayer and men would go around the table and pray for a variety of things. Some praised God, some asked God, some confessed before God and their Christian brothers, but one unique prayer was delivered every week by one of the older members. He would always thank God for the great night’s sleep he had the night before. After a few weeks, I asked Earl why he prayed for this every week. Earl had a simple response. “Have you ever had a night when you didn’t sleep well, Gregg? Well I am always thankful for those nights I do sleep well.”

It has stayed with me to this day. Earl was intentionally thankful for something that we can take for granted. When things go well in our lives we are not always in a thankful posture. It is easier to be thankful when we are spared some consequence we deserve.

It is important for us to remember that we have been spared an eternal separation from God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we all live and we all die. Because Christ did interceded on our behalf we have the hope of an eternity with Him in heaven forever. Death is no longer the victor. It is Christ and He alone!

Knowing that we can wake up everyday and say, “Thank you God. Use me today as You need me to bring Your message into this world.” What a joy each day brings as our lives become a response to the grace He has shown us.

And thank you for your continued prayers and support of this Orange Lutheran ministry. In all we do each day honor Him alone!