Someone was really, really down. About as far at the bottom of the heap as one could go. Someone sent to him, told him to start thanking God for everything, even for the situation he was in. He rebelled at the idea, but then decided he would try. So, he began thanking God for everything. He began thanking God that his family was still with him, that they had a roof over their heads, that they had food to eat, that though they could not pay all of each of their bills, they could pay a little on them, that the managing of their budget was giving him experience to handle more and more, that it gave him experience, also, so he could in turn listen to someone in similar circumstances and encourage them. The more he thanked God for each little thing in his life the higher his spirit was lifted up.

He began searching the scriptures on the subject of being thankful, saying thanks and found how that was very dear to the Lord's heart. He came across the story of ten virgins where only one turned back to thank the Lord and how important a place in scripture that had.

The more he thanked the Lord, the more he put HIS principles to work in his life. He thanked him for all those who seemed to be all around him to do nothing but give him misery. Soon, he was earnestly praying for them. As his attitude turned into the love that God was pouring through him as he prayed for those he had considered enemies, the more he earnestly wanted to befriend them and love them. Soon, he began making friends of them and things got better all around.

In time he began measuring success, not in dollars and cents, but by whether his life and actions were glorifying and honoring God. Then his family began to see his new self shining - they could see God's love shining through him and they in turn began to pour out their love, compassion and support for him and on and on. He went to church and whether he felt like it or not, he put a big smile on his face, so he could make others feel better. Soon they were smiling back. He felt their love and they prayed for him fervently. He realized it was up to him to work hard to do as well as he could, not just at his own job, but also in encouraging others. (He learned that just as the old monk in the 16th century had said as he worked around the monastery. Though he had been a man who was over many people and had great responsibility, he said that he would not even pick up a straw off the floor, or peel a potato except it were for the Lord. He said that whatever he did, it was important to do it well, even the most humble task, and as if he were doing it directly for the Lord.)

The man. once so dejected, realized that every day that what he did was not important, but how and why he did it. He would either live his life for the Lord, or it would have no value at all. He made the fact real that the Lord was watching him every moment and he wanted to make his Lord proud of him. He realized that his title, or station in life was of little importance to the Lord, really, but whether he did the job well for which he was paid - just as the monk served the monastery well whereby he had given his vow. He was thankful.

It all began when he began being thankful in all situations (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) and for everything that was in his life - the good taught him that he really did have treasures when he thought he had nothing and the bad taught him discipline - and that it was up to him to seek God's help to rid his life of all the negative thoughts, bad habits and bad attitude. He determined that he would block evil or negative thoughts at the first instance they came to his mind which he found was the doorway to his heart. It happened one thing, one hour, one task, one day at a time. Then, he realized one day just how far he had come. He found that we come here with a mind that is like an open container - we can allow bad things to be dumped in it and make it a trash can, or we can put in good thoughts, prayers, good books, counting things for which to give thanks and it becomes a treasure chest. As the old saying goes, if evil comes knocking at the door, ask the Lord to answer it for you. God bless all who read this.

© Marjorie 2008 November 7, 2008

E-Mail Marjorie - CLICK HERE

Read a Little About Marjorie - CLICK HERE!