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THANKS LORD, BUT NO THANKS by Evie Lebow November, the full of thanks month. As I think about giving thanks I’m reminded of situations in which my attitude groused, “Thanks Lord, but no thanks,” after being reminded to give thanks in ALL things by my smart-aleck pastor husband. Such as? Such as: “For goodness sake, Lord, did you have to give me a fat metabolism? You knew how I would detest being saddled with the relentless, never ending fat-fight. I don’t feel good about myself. Overweight people aren’t esteemed highly in our society and I wonder how you feel about me when I’m not as disciplined as I should be.” “Whatever happened to that perfect husband you gave me? He’s just not meeting my needs, Lord.” “I’m tired to death, Lord, of trying to ‘keep on keeping on’ in this Christian life. I’m weary of constant temptation, struggling, falling. I can’t live this life any longer.” “Lord, why did you allow our precious son to stray from you (and us). He planned to become a missionary. He planned to serve you the rest of his life.” “Move one thousand miles from our children and grandchildren? You’ve got to be kidding, Lord!” “You brought us here, Lord, into circumstances that seem unbearable. Get us out of this!” Now today. “Another dire warning of the possibility of a terrorist attack on the heartland of America. Lord, I know you’re in control, but please, can’t we return to our September tenth way of life?” Our Lord never discourages honest, open declarations of despair. Instead, if we allow Him, He transforms our “such as” into “PTL.” Re: Fat Fight. How does God feel about me? He constantly reassures me that my size has nothing to do with the depth of His love or His thoughts toward me. When He looks upon me He sees His beloved Son, the altogether lovely One. (Song of Solomon 5:16) I am one of His jewels, beautiful and of great worth. (Malachi 3:17) I am “accepted in the Beloved” just as I am. (Ephesians 1:6) What joy! Yet behavioral teaching has been crucial. His teaching has centered around a riveting question, “Evie, which do you love more - your comfort food or Me? Which do you place first?” Included is a reminder, “If you set your heart and will to please Me, I will empower you to say ‘no’ to the Twinkies. And He does. OK, I still gobble the Twinkies at times but we’re making progress in our fat fight. Re: Husband. I strongly suspect our Lord isn’t too sympathetic about this grousing. A mature (?) Christian woman surely realizes that there is no man alive who can even know his wife’s needs without MUCHO help from God. The question of maturity aside, He led me into articulating my needs to my dear husband and hoping for the best (trusting, that is). And I have received nearly the best. There are times when he doesn’t meet my needs, real or perceived, but then the Lord reminds me that only He, as my creator, developer, and strong place can care for me perfectly. Re: Living the Christian life. Praise the Lord, I can’t live this Christian life. I’m the weakest of the weak. That’s OK. The Strong One lives in me, always gently reminding that He will strengthen me to live a life of overcoming faith (Ephesians 3:16) as I yield devotion and obedience to Him. Re: Precious Son. Our son is back. He made wrong choices that impacted his life forever but now he walks with our Lord. Never had I known that a heart could actually physically ache but ache it did as I poured out fervent prayers for restoration. Eventually the ache was replaced by the peace of faith as I claimed God’s promise in Joel 2:25, “And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten...” And He has! Re: BIG move. My long distance despair gradually turned into acceptance and then praise as I watched our Lord work in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Even without me there! Who would ever have thought it? When we moved from the Northwest to California, He told me He didn’t need me to help Him take care of my kids but I wasn’t convinced. I am now. “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.” (Ps. 138:8) My kids are all yours, Lord! Re: Unbearable circumstances. No, He did not remove us from the awful church situation. He gentled us through every step of the way, giving wisdom, strength and faith. It has been three years since our Lord transformed chaos into peace but I continue to praise Him, “Though (we) walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive (us); You will stretch forth your hand against the wrath of (our) enemies, and Your right hand will save (us).” (Ps. 138:7). Re: Terrorist attack. “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12) The Holy Spirit surely authored Romans 8:28, 31, 37 for me and my too frequent, “Thanks Lord, but no thanks” attitude. He reassures, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose”. Thanks, Lord. |
Copyright ©2001 Evie Lebow. All rights reserved.