It's Easy to Forget to Say, "Thanks, God!"

Joe was a factory worker in suburban Cleveland. He started at the plant right out of high school. He was in his 22nd year on the job, married with three kids. Recently, a number of his co-workers had been laid off. But he thought he was safe given his years of seniority. But one day, he found out other-wise. As he drove home from work that last day at the plant, he wondered how he would ever find another job - at least one that paid him as well as his factory job had done over the years. After all, he had no education beyond high school and given the poor job market, he knew he was in for a rough time.

The very next morning, he began his new job - that of finding a job! He registered at a local "career-link" job center. There he honed his resume and learned a strategy to find employment. With a renewed feeling of hope, he began in earnest looking for his next job. But days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months with no results. Joe's unemployment benefits were soon scheduled to run out. Desperate and discouraged, Joe turned to God. Not a praying man, he got down on his knees one night and asked God (or as he called him "the Big Boss upstairs") for a job. He told God if God would come through for him, that he, Joe, would come through for God. He crawled into bed that night, feeling some relief and managed to sleep for the first time in several nights.

He was awakened the next morning by an early morning phone call. It was an employment agency calling about a potential job. They wanted to see Joe that very morning. With cautious optimism Joe drove to the agency. After the agency interview, he was sent to a new distribution center that had recently opened near his home. At the conclusion of that interview, he was offered the job on the spot. He took it! Soon, he was enjoying a healthy regular pay check (and enjoying his new job as well!). However, Joe forgot about God and forgot about the "deal" that he had made with God. Joe would eventually retire from the distribution center. But never again did he get on his knees before God.

The lesson I want you to get out of this parable is not that we should avoid making deals with God (which is true!). But I want to remind you (and me, too!) that it is God "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment" (1 Timothy 6:17). Therefore we must be careful to recognize and honor HIM as the provider for all of our needs and wants! Don't be guilty of taking God's gifts for granted. Remember to thank Him for His many blessings!

Tomorrow I will discuss one other step we must take in response to the generosity of our God. But for today (and just don't stop with today - but get into this habit EVERYDAY!) please pause and take a moment to mentally list some of the many blessings God has showered upon you - and THANK HIM!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj