Be Thankful for What He Did

"You didn't make any hard boiled eggs," my daughter complained. I'll admit it, I was annoyed. Yes, she had asked me to make some, and yes I did say I would. However, I hadn't had time.

Never mind that I took her to vacation Bible school. Never mind that I let her had a friend spend the night. Never mind that I packed up the cooler and took everyone to the lake for 5 hours. Never mind that we came home, cleaned up, ate dinner and heading back to Bible school. Nope, I hadn't boiled the eggs.

"Can't you be thankful for what I did, 

instead of complaining about what I didn't do?"

As I said those words to my daughter, my mind went to my Father. My heavenly Father. How many times have I complained about what I wanted that I didn't get. Big things. Little things. Even silly things. I've pray for them all. Sometimes God says yes, and sometimes he says no. And I complain when he says no.

Can't I be thankful for what God did, instead of complaining about what he didn't do?  What did he do? SO MUCH! I am blessed beyond measure. We are all, if we would just focus on what God did, and be thankful, instead of complaining about what he didn't do.

The world can be tough. Sometimes it's not fair. Things can get ugly. Sometimes we even have to eat cereal for breakfast when what we really want is a hard boiled egg. But this world is just a blip of the big picture. 

One day we will spend eternity with God, because he sacrificed His Son for our sin. Can't we be thankful for what He did, instead of complaining about what He didn't do?

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Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, 

let us be thankful.

Hebrews 12:28

 Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

But If Not....

Has God ever let you down? If I'm completely honest, the answer is yes. There are things I've asked for, begged for, that seemed to be good, righteous, helpful things. Prayers for healing for people, or a resolution to a situation that would be good. Yet, God didn't intervene. God lets bad things happen.

What do we do with that? How do we respond when bad things happen to good people? My pastor recently reminded us of the story of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego. (Otherwise known to VeggieTale fans as Rack, Shack and Benny.) As these men faced being thrown into the blazing furnace for failing to worship a golden idol, they said these words in answer to the King:

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.
But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

They knew God could rescue them. "But if not." They also knew, he may not rescue them. Yet they still chose to honor their God, serve him with their whole heart, and believe him.

What have you asked God for, that he has not given you?  Are you willing to continue in faith, not only when He says yes, "But {also} if not."

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com