The Power of Thanksgiving

Several years ago a dear friend of mine, Bobbie Clemmons, passed away from a brain aneurism. During her latter years as a retired school teacher, Bobbie devoted much of her time and energy toward guiding fellow Christians into a closer walk with Christ. While I learned much from Bobbie, the one story that stands out in my mind is her lesson of the “broken jar of peanut butter.” Illustrating Paul’s exhortation to give thanks in all circumstances, Bobbie told a group of us how she was running late for a meeting one afternoon and had carelessly knocked over a jar of peanut butter. As she cleaned the spattered, gooey mess from her kitchen floor, Bobbie became aware of her bad attitude. Paul’s words to the Thessalonians rang in her ears: “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Convicted, Bobbie confessed her ‘pity party’ to God and gave thanks for the broken jar of peanut butter. This simple act of obedience provided insight into her unrealistic expectations and revealed the blessings from the delay. Bobbie is not alone, all of us have moments when we feel sorry for ourselves. Nevertheless, like Bobbie, when we humble our hearts and give thanks to God in those down moments, He transforms our pity parties into attitudes of gratitude. Our circumstances may not change, but we do. That’s the power of thanksgiving!