The Original Because of Love

...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:20 (NIV)

Tomorrow I am sure that a lot of us will sit around our tables with family and friends and we will share a list of things that we are thankful for. We will talk about how God has blessed us so much and look back at all the wonderful things that have happened in the last year.

I will be one of those people. I have been very blessed this year, and tomorrow you will see a list of many things that I am thankful for.

However, I read that verse today and the words FOR EVERYTHING really stuck out to me. Yes, there have been some wonderful things that have happened to me and my family this year. But there have also been some not so great things that have happened to me and my family this year.

It is hard for me (and I am sure others) to say, "Thank you, God for letting me go through ____ It was horrible and hurtful. It caused a lot of drama and uncomfortable situations...." but the Bible tells us that we are to be thankful for those moments, no matter how horrible they were (or maybe still are).

God doesn't do anything on accident. He has a purpose and a plan. We might not know why or what, and it is hard sometimes to see the good in things, but tomorrow, I am going to try to remember to be thankful for everything - both good and bad.