Jesus makes it clear in the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:34-44) that being thankful for what we have is a key ingredient in growing our faith. I read a story this week that speaks to the power of thankfulness.
Corrie ten Boom in The Hiding Place relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. On entering the barracks, they found them extremely overcrowded and flea-infested.
That morning, their Scripture reading in 1 Thessalonians had reminded them to rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances. Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas, but Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings. During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without guard interference. It was not until several months later that they learned the reason the guards would not enter the barracks was because of the fleas.
Faith focuses not on what you ‘don’t’ have but on what you ‘do’ have. There are so many mysteries in God, but one thing I know is that he is constantly teaching us that He is enough, He is the focus. That brings a thankfulness into our life.
So I wonder right now, what is it that you can be thankful for? Like Corrie ten Boom’s fleas that thing could be the basis for the miracle that God is going to do in your life. He really can use anything and anyone.
Carl Mutzelburg 