Thanks for All the Memories!

It was Bob Hope’s theme song – “Thanks for the Memories”.  Memories and thankfulness go hand in hand, but usually only our good memories are considered.  For instance, if you are like most people, sometime in the course of this month you will be requested by someone to share something for which you are thankful.  Normally, we respond by reflecting upon the good experiences of our life.  There is nothing wrong with this, but it does limit our perception of blessing and thanksgiving.  What if we extended our list beyond what has been good to what has really stunk in our life?  You know – the painful, difficult situations that we have struggled through.  We can be thankful for these.

Few moral strides have ever been achieved by blessing.  In fact it is just the opposite.  Blessings can actually inhibit growth.  Instead, we tend to develop the best through challenge and adversity.  Trials are the substance for real character development.  This was the James’ insight in the beginning of his epistle; “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

A person once observed a butterfly struggling to come out of its cocoon.  The creature seemed to be having an unusually difficult time and its observer felt sorry for its plight.  Carefully, gently, the individual intervened in the process by tearing the sides of the cocoon allowing the insect to be released.  But to their surprise, the butterfly came out misshaped.  Its wings remained folded and worthless for flight.  Its abdomen was oblong and distorted.  Because it was relieved of the normal struggle of life, the butterfly would never be normal.

Have you considered your trials and challenges as positive influences for your development?  Certainly we are thankful for the experiences that have brought a smile to our face and a song to our heart. But we should also rejoice for the difficult times that have stretched and challenged us, yet forged character and maturity in our life.  Perhaps, as we are willing to share these, we will encourage others to see the benefit our struggles provide in life.  So, what are you thankful for?

Pastor Mark