Is it wrong to thank Jesus I have finally been added to the Sephora mailing list?
Sidebar: For those of you whose mailboxes were also graced with the spring catalog, does François Nars look a lot younger than you expected? In my head I pictured him more like designer Valentino. Imagine my shock to see he’s such a PYT (that’s Michael Jackson-ese for Pretty Young Thing).
Back to the question at hand. Is it wrong to give thanks for the catalog?
Or to thank God when I find a parking place at the mall close to the door?
Or when the snow melts quickly because I’m so sick of snow I could scream?
Or when I see a collection of robins hopping around my yard, so I know even if it doesn’t feel like it, spring is here or they wouldn’t be?
Well-meaning people may imply these are trivial, silly, selfish things. It is disrespectful to thank God for such drivel.
How dare I be so trite with the Holy Almighty God. He is God and I am not.
And for that matter, I should not pray with my eyes open or when driving or doing anything else, but only during a scheduled quiet time first thing in the morning. I should not wear shorts either.
Okay. I’m kidding about the shorts. No one has implied that to me. Yet.
God is God. He is Holy. Almighty. Perfect. I am not. Agreed.
But I am His child.
And if He sees me at all like I see my child, nothing is drivel really. What matters to my child matters to me. Big or small. Important or trivial. Serious or shallow.
The One who made all the stars and calls them each by name, who sees even the smallest sparrow fall, who knows the number of hairs on my head, He is my Father and He knows. He knows. He knows.
Be it day or dark of night, whenever I am blessed with the slightest tinge of joy or troubled by the most fleeting of worries, He says to me, “Bring it, child. Bring it.”
And when I do, it is well with my soul.
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 NIV
To listen to Children of God by Third Day on their website, click here. Grab a box of tissues. They have quite a message to share.
Aimee,
First off, let me say how much I’ve enjoyed receiving the ‘everyday epistle’! God is using you to provide a valuable ministry to those of us who need to hear/read the words He is supplying through you! Jeff is very fortunate to have found you and have you in his life!!! =)
Additionally, then, in reading today’s message, I, too, thank the Lord for parking spaces – sometimes even just finding a parking space and not necessarily close to the door!!! I also have often told folks that God and I sometimes had our best times of communion when I was in the shower – it seems that was the only time I could be still enough for Him to speak to me and have me listen.
So, I want to reaffirm what you’re saying about praying and giving Thanks for things that seem like ‘drivel’ to some. In my mind/heart, I have found that Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians is quite clear – Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
I have to believe like you wrote, God cares about the birds in the field, the hairs on our heads, and I truly believe He LOVES to hear our petitions no matter what!
Thank you for being inspired to share today’s message just as you did! Yes, I truly believe a petition of Thanks for a Sephora catalog can be in order – just like the petitions of getting the honkin’ big truck fixed earlier this year!!! =)
May God continue to use you in the ‘everyday epistle’ ministry, and may you feel His Blessings in return!
God Bless and Thanks so much!
lesa
Lesa, thank you for your kind words and encouragement. It is so nice to see you here!
I know if I’m thinking these things, there have to be others who are too. Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I love the verse you mentioned in Thessalonians. It’s a tough one for me to do sometimes. Good reminder for me.
PS–Jeff says hi. He and I both chuckled at your comment about the petition of thanks being in order for the catalog and for the repairs on the honkin’ big truck! :)