In Everything Give Thanks

I woke up this morning and knew that today,
The sun would not be shining and the clouds would be gray.
As I stepped outside, rain fell upon my head.
My car wouldn’t start so I walked to school instead.

I forgot all of my assignments I failed all of my tests.
I dropped my head in disgust and asked the Lord for one request.
“Lord, why is it that things won’t go my way?”
He gently replied, “Dear child it is because you didn’t thank Me yesterday.

“I woke you up and enabled you to see the sun again.
I gave you shelter, protected your family, and even let you make a new friend.
I blessed you far greater than I ever had before.
But you were too busy to thank Me once more.

“You didn’t feel sick because I maintained your health.
You had money in your pocket because I maintained your wealth.
You had shoes on your feet and clothes to wear, too.
You had plenty of food to eat, and what did you do?

“You ignored Me and went about your tasks.
But when you wanted something you never hesitated to ask.
I was there when you needed Me and that wasn’t too long ago.
But when things started going your way, it was Me you did not know.

“As if that weren’t enough, I provided your favorite luxuries.
This was something I didn’t have to do – they weren’t even necessities.
And when it was time to get on your knees and show your gratitude,
You decided that after such a fulfilling day, you weren’t in the mood.

“So I decided to give you just a little test.
To show you how it would feel to stop being blessed.”

I began to realize what the Lord was saying.
And when I got home, I fell to my knees and started praying.

He said, “My child, you have learned and you know I do forgive.
But remember this day as long as you shall live.
I love filling your life with joy, and your pain I’ll alleviate it.
“But just a simple ‘thank you’ would show how much you appreciate it.”

“Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Don’t wait for some distant day to come,
it may be too late before you’ve even begun.
Not everyone will agree with all you decide.

Be true to yourself first and foremost.
The only important thing in life is what you do
with the time you spend here on earth.

Don’t be afraid to follow your desires,
they are not silly nor selfish.
Take the time and do what makes you feel alive.

Leave your fears and regrets in the past,
for this is where they belong.
Don’t cloud today with things that can’t be undone.

You have no more control over yesterday or tomorrow,
than you do the raging of your passions.
Do not quiet these dreams nor quench your desires.

For if you do, your journey is ended.
You have only today to begin anew and follow your dreams.
For in the end all we have are our memories.

When the twilight comes to us, let there be,
No excuses, no explanations, no regrets!

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can get going without pep pills,

If you can always be cheerful and ignore aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are to busy to give you any time,

If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of yours, something goes wrong,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can ignore a friend’s limited education and never correct him,

If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,

If you can face the world without lies and deceit,

If you an conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

If you can say honestly that deep in your heart that you have no prejudice against creed, color, religion or politics,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog or cat.