Give Thanks
Give Thanks01 December 2005, 1.56 a.m.
I guess I've chosen the perfect timing for this post since we are in the season of celebrating Thanksgiving (or rather, for those in the States, we don't really celebrate that here in Singapore).
For a start, remember the time when Pastor Mark shared his testimony during a service about how his financial situation turned around, how God turned his debts around in just one day. But of course, during that period of tribulation, he shared how his mum had turned against him and all that heartache. But the crux of the message he wanted to bring across, was to give thanks, even in times of need, even in the midst of difficulties or challenges.
I recalled Pastor Mark saying how one day, he was just resting on his couch, and he started to recount all the things he still possesses. Yes, he was still in heavy debt back then, (he wasn't a pastor yet). He was staring at the ceiling fan, and he started giving thanks to the Lord for that fan. And he walked to his garage, saw his car, and gave thanks for the car that was going to be towed away soon by the debtors. And soon, he found himself giving thanks to every household item he could count in his house.
I'm sure those of us who have heard and seen Pastor Mark preach just love this man of God amen? He's such an anointed and humorous preacher. Yet he always comes across as so humble and personable.
Well, while I don't have the habit of giving thanks for my household items, I was impressed by his message as I lay on my bed one night. I just felt like giving thanks to the pastors in my church. I remembered Pastor Buddy Bell (oooooooooohhhh...the infinite value of God's humble servants...) preach that it's good to esteem and give due recognition to your pastors. So there I was, unable to sleep, and started giving thanks to the pastors in our church. I realised we do have quite a huge team of pastors in our church - our well-armed heavenly and super-anointed brigade of preachers.
And strangely, after I've finished giving thanks, I decided, oh well, I might as well thank my ministry leaders as well. So I prayed:"Lord, thank you for Wendy...(our choir director)...Lord, thank you for Veron...(our church's publications editor)..."
Then I thought, oh yes, the wonderful brothers and sisters in our choir, those who have really been there for me and shared in my tears and joy, and I started thanking them too.
Then I realised I haven't thanked my parents yet, how could I have forgotten about them, so I thanked the Lord for them.
Oh yes, then it was my caregroup's turn, including my leader and the lovely people in my caregroup, and I soon realised I have begun giving thanks to almost anyone I could think of, who had some influence on my lives, including my former employers, my university clique (lovely bunch of dudes and babes).
It felt good after saying all those thanks. I did not pray super-long prayers, just giving thanks to the Lord for these people. I felt a peace deep within (I wonder if that's to do with the fact that I'm getting sleepy too...). It's as if something lifted from my heart, and it's a wonderful serene feeling.
It's important to give thanks, not because the Bible instructs us to do so. I remember an email a sister sent to me recently, about how this son decided to date his mum for a change, upon instruction by his wife. And so the son did as his wife told him. And his mum was all dressed up for the occasion, and thanked his son for such a wonderful time together. Just like old times... And little did the son know that this was to be their last dinner together as a week later, she went home to be with the Lord. The tear-jerker was the letter his mother wrote to the son one week after he went to the same restaurant for dinner with his wife. The mother had instructed the waiter to hand the letter to the son after he was about to pay the bill. The letter read:" Dear son. I know I might not have the chance to thank you for taking me out to dinner. So I've paid the bill for the next time you take your wife here. I enjoyed myself that night. Thank you so much, son."
Hey beloveds, do remember to thank the people around you, especially your loved ones. I'm finding such a joy to spend time with my parents nowadays. I look forward to having family dinner together. I wasn't like that last time. I used to prefer dining out with my church friends on Sundays, and would hang out till late at night. Cherish your loved ones while they are still around and give thanks for the little things they do in your lives. Don't wait till they are in their old age, and soon to be passing on before you regret the chance to do so.
You know, my mum did something sweet for me recently. One night, I felt my stomach rumbling and decided to cook instant noodles for myself. I rummaged the fridge looking for eggs and whatever ingredients I could add to make my noodles more palatable. To my delight, I found some dried fish and shrimps. My mum, who was a light sleeper, was woken up by the noise I was making in the kitchen. I told her to get back to sleep and assured her that I could manage on my own. While I left the water to boil, I went back to chat on my computer. When I returned to check on the noodles, I found the dried shrimps and fish gone, replaced by a plate of fish fillets. I had no idea where the fish fillets were from but I knew my mum must have fished them out from the fridge. I just rushed into my mum's bedroom and planted a kiss on her cheek.
Okies, I know you're sniggering but that's so sweet of her. I used to take such things for granted, and would miss them totally. I thanked the Lord for stirring my heart to be mindful of all these little things. And in life, it's always the little things that make the biggest difference.
Wouldn't you agree?
posted by weiwen @ 9:19 AM
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