Less Whining, More Thankfulness!

I’ve had the privilege of planning several prayer rides with a group of like- hearted friends. We take off on our motorcycles for two to three days to specifically pray and encourage pastors of rural churches and their families.

Thus far, I have stayed within the Inland Northwest until this summer. This January, I felt the Lord leading me to ride across the country praying for pastors, bikers, police officers… whomever God would bring into my life for me to bless in prayer. I’ve been on the road a total of 34 days and driven through 17 states for a total of 6,233 miles with 1,750 more miles to go before I arrive home.

In fact, I’m writing this article in a subway in sunny Munising, Michigan, looking at Lake Superior. The “God appointments” have been incredible. In fact, when I get back to Colville and you see me downtown at Farmhouse Sweets Cafe & Bakery or Big Al’s, feel free to ask me and I’ll tell one or two fantastical God stories from my summer adventures.

The one I want to share with you now concerns a 33-year- old who taught his parents about thankfulness. We met them at a restaurant in the southern tier of western New York. Their 33-year- old son had just died of colon cancer two months earlier, leaving behind three young boys, a wife, parents and siblings. In the middle of an ugly cry by all of us, they told me their son’s response when people adamantly complained to him that it wasn’t fair that he was dying at age 33. His response: “It’s not fair that I’ve had 33 wonderful years with awesome parents, a wonderful wife and three beautiful boys while most people don’t even get one good year out of life. I am truly blessed!” Wow, talk about being thankful! I wasn’t surprised to hear this young man was a passionate follower of Jesus.

It reminds me of what Paul wrote from a prison in Rome while waiting to hear whether he was going to be executed or not. “Be cheerful and joyous in every season of life. Let your joy overflow!” (Phil. 4: 4 TPT) Paul walked the talk, too. After being publicly beaten without a trial and thrown into the deepest part of the prison, Paul and Silas started praying and singing praises to God at around midnight. (Acts 16: 16- 40)

The parents of that young man, who were amazed by their son’s faith- filled thankfulness, learned what Paul lived and preached. I dare say some people twice his age still haven’t learned how to be thankful. As I reflect on their story, I’m convicted about how many times I whine like a mule about what I don’t have when God clearly calls all of us who know him to rejoice and be thankful for what we do have. So, here’s the challenge. As we begin another school year– in the spirit of the old Saturday Night Live skit “More Cowbell”– how about less whining and more thankfulness?