give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1st Thessalonians 5:18  NIV

He was a humble farmer.  He lived under a beautiful sky in a magical valley.  He greeted everyone with a big smile and a warm handshake.  His kitchen was a favorite meeting place for family and friends. He was a simple man of a few words.  He worked hard and cared a lot about the people in his life.  .After a long life of working the land, he had to go.  Now, as we mourn his passing, we are reminded to give thanks.  Even through tears, or in the face of our own pain, we are reminded to give thanks.  Is this what we do?

David, Job, and almost every Bible character had struggled with loss or hard times.  Their testimonies teach us to give thanks because we can see God is working on a plan to bring us all together.  Jesus Cried when His friend died. (John 11:1-44)  But He gave thanks to God.  He did this to show us we can have hope.  He thanked His Father because the Son is the Resurrection and the Life.  If we can believe it, we can give thanks too!  If we can put our hope in God and His plan, then even through our tears we can draw nearer to Christ.  We can give thanks to God for promising that we can all meet up together in the grandest of kitchens!  We can receive the biggest of smiles and the warmest handshake of all!

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the good times and the bad.  Through each, let us see our need to be with You!  When we know we need our Savior, then we can draw near to You.  Thank You for giving us hope!  Help us look forward to our grand reunion with You!

Amen