It’s the tenth frame. I watch his eyes scan the screen hanging from the ceiling above us. His face falls with realization. Eyes wet with unshed tears, he shuffles around as if to walk out the frustration bubbling up inside. “It’s not fair,” he mutters.
My husband and I cheer for his brother who knocked down eight pins when I hear his grumbling voice again. This time, the tears flow down his cheeks.
Together, the four of us had enjoyed an outing of put-put, laser tag, and now bowling. A perfectionist, my son hates to lose. Today was no exception.
“Remember what we read earlier today?” I asked.
He stares at me, having completely forgotten lessons learned in school in that morning.
“We learned the verse where Paul said to give thanks in all things. Remember the story we read about Corrie ten Boom and the fleas?”
During WWII, Corrie ten Boom and her family helped Jews hide from the Germans by hiding them in their house. They were caught and sent to a prison camp. The conditions were overcrowded and the bunkroom ridden with bugs. Somehow, she snuck a Bible into the camp with her. Because Corrie’s bunkroom was full of fleas, the guards never came to check it and never discovered her Bible. She expressed thanks for the fleas because they allowed her to share God’s word with the other prisoners.
She and her sister clung to the promises of Scripture and one day read Paul’s words:
“‘Give thanks in all circumstances,’ she quoted. It doesn’t say, ‘in pleasant circumstances.’ Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.” And so we stood between tiers of bunks and gave thanks for fleas.”
(From The Hiding Place)
Recounting this story to my husband from our studies earlier that day, I ask the kids, “How can we be thankful for all things? Even for losing?” Driving home, we take turns sharing our own thanks-for all things.
Giving thanks even in the face of trial is indeed the hard thanks. My son isn’t the only one who struggles to give thanks for all things. My own heart responds with grumbling and complaining when faced with unwanted circumstances. I am like the Israelites who wanted to turn back to slavery because they didn’t like the food God provided on the way to the promised land. I live for blessings on this earth and am angry when I don’t get what I want. I fail to see how my desert wanderings are an opportunity to draw closer to God and grow in my love for Him.
But He tells me that the hard things in life are for my good and His glory. They are to prepare me for the great party in eternity. God uses the hard things to transform me to be more like Christ.
If my Savior can give thanks before His final meal, I can give thanks for every part of His plan for me. If Corrie ten Boom can give thanks for fleas in a German concentration camp, I can give thanks for the trials in my own life. Because sometimes, the fleas can be a blessing in disguise.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Practicing giving the hard thanks this week (#1807-1819):
getting blood work done to maintain my health
receiving rejection because it reminds me that I am completely accepted by God
my computer working intermittently all week because it makes me do other things
having no time to get things done because it makes me rely on God and His timing
feeling overwhelmed by life because it makes me trust God to handle everything
being forgetful because it is humbling
battling seasons of depression because it makes me throw myself at His mercy and grace
refereeing sibling rivalry because it makes me stop and focus on what’s really important
my back nearly giving out on me at a water park because it makes me rely on God’s strength
And for the not so hard things:
meeting up with a blogging friend and her family in Orlando
for ice from the first aid station
for the boy’s smiles everytime they went down a slide
Linking up with my friends at:
great reminder!
Thank you!
This is so true, Christina! And I love that story from The Hiding Place. It was one of the first Christian memoirs that I ever read and has continued to have such a huge impact on my faith. In fact, I was praying just this morning about this very concept. I want to rejoice, even in what seems like trials or difficulties-knowing God is in the business of transforming them into eternal blessings. Thanks so much for your ever-wise words!
You are sweet! Learning from the lives if others always helps me in my own challenges. Scripture calls us to encourage others with the encouragement we have received and her book does just that. Blessings!
“If my Savior can give thanks before His final meal, I can give thanks for every part of His plan for me.”
Thank you Christina, i needed this. I too, just posted a post of this week being so hard to give thanks. No concidence that I come here and this is what I read. You are such a sweet sister in Christ to me. I pray someday in God’s timing, I can be that blogging friend that gets to meet up with you. Thank you for always writing your heart.
Oh what fun we would have talking about our kids and all the books we’ve read! In His timing. Thanks for sharing your hard thanks too.
Christina…oh that story from the hiding place stuck with me from the first time I read that story so many years ago…a seed planted of what thankfulness truly can look like…and now this community…continues to water these seeds…always a blessing to be watered here~
I love the image of the seeds. May we water gratitude each day! Blessings to you!
wonderful message, thanks
Thanks for visiting!
Such an important lesson, but such a difficult one! Especially for perfectionists like me. And the story from The Hiding Place added so much! I think I need to read that book again. Thank you so much for sharing.
True, a very difficult lesson. One that I will learn over and over I’m sure. Blessings!
Such a good lesson to share with your boys-and us too. Practicing the hard thanks with you, Christina.
Thank you, Laura! An ongoing journey for me:)
Beautiful reminder, Christina. Seeing the tough times through His perspective but those are the faith growing times in our lives. Thanks for linking up this week!
It’s so very true-the faith growing times happen in the midst of the trials and challenges of life. Have a great week!
Being grateful in all things . . . you inspired me here. And my kids have both struggled with the perfectionism thing. I think its why my son chooses not to play team sports. He is so hard on himself. Nice post Christina.
Thanks for your kind words, Shelly. I know what you mean, I’ve seen many tears fall on the soccer field. Thanks for stopping by!
I so enjoyed this post and want to give you a hug for all your hard thanks! and give your son a hug because I know this perfectionist journey…
The whole concept of God being good all the time is taking a whole new light with me lately. And the practice of giving thanks in all things brings it into view so well….
Hugs to you, friend!
It’s hard to live in a fallen world as a perfectionist, at least that’s what I have observed with my son. And learning to give the hard thanks is a challenging journey for us all. Thanks for visiting!
very inspirational post! Dropping by from On your heart Tuesdays!
Thank you! I’m so glad you stopped by:)
Beautiful reminder, bless you.
Thanks, Denise!