Thanks for the Problem 3/28/14

²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20 (ESV)

Here is a follow-up story to yesterday's entry.  

The "tough" day I had anticipated, ended up being very positive.  Part of the reason for that is Kristi was too sick to go to work.  WHAT!  Yep, that's right.  Kristi being sick helped my have a great day.  Let me explain.

Kristi woke up yesterday with a stomach bug.  She called in for a substitute teacher and went back to bed.

As I was getting ready to leave, I admonished Roxie, our big, goofy dog, to take good care of Kristi.  (If you have a dog, you get the talking to them thing.  If not, well, get a dog, and you will understand.)  Kristi spoke up to Roxie, "If you want to, girl, you can go get me some 7-Up."  

Now, I have been married long enough to know that that remark was not intended for Roxie because she does not have her driver's license and cannot get to the store.  It was Kristi's way of letting me know she wanted some 7-Up.  I was ready for work, keys in hand, and headed out the door when I overhead her suggestion to Roxie.

Although the workday was already on my mind, I made myself go the the corner c-store to get some 7-Up.  Here's where God used Kristi's stomach bug in a positive way.

As I was walking in the c-store, sitting in a white truck right by the entrance of the store, was Roger.  Roger is one of the kindest, gentlest, most spirit-led men I know.  I tapped on the truck window.  After the exchange of "good morning" and "how's it going" I mentioned to him I was looking at a rough day and asked him for prayer.

Right there at the entrance to Git-n-Go, Roger took my hand and prayed for me and the day ahead.  It was a prayer for peace, strength, and wisdom.  There is no doubt in my mind that this short prayer was a factor in the success of the rest of the day.

Had Kristi not been sick, I would not have gone to the c-store, I would not have run into Roger, I would not have received his prayer covering, I would not have had such a successful day.

Now, I am not suggesting that I am thankful Kristi was sick, but I will thank Him for directing events in our lives for a positive outcome.

I hope this doesn't sound selfish and uncaring.  "Hey, I am glad Kristi was sick!  So happy her feeling like mud worked out for me."  That's not it at all.  The point is that God truly can (and does) take all things and work them for good.

It is because of this promise that we can "give thanks always and for everything".