Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“My sister Betsie taught me a great deal. She had a knack for finding things to be thankful for, even in the most devastating circumstances. One such circumstance was during our imprisonment in Ravensbruck. When we were taken to our barracks, it was our noses that first told us the place was filthy. The plumbing had backed up somewhere. The bedding was soiled and rancid, and we struggled against nausea that swept over us.
“When we laid back on the straw-covered platform that was to be our bed, something pinched my leg. ‘Fleas!’ I cried. ‘Betsie, the place is swarming with them! How can we live in such a place?’
“’Show us. Show us how,’ Betsie replied. It was said so matter-of-factly it took me a second to realize she was praying. More and more, the distinction between prayer and the rest of life seemed to vanish for Betsie.
” ‘Corrie!’ she said excitedly. ‘He’s given us the answer. “Give thanks in all circumstances!” That’s what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about these new barracks!’
“’Such as?’ I asked.
“’Such as being assigned here together.’ I bit my lip. ‘Oh yes, Lord Jesus!’ ”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place

“Thankfulness in every circumstance keeps me connected to god and his presence in my life.”

• Corrie ten Boom, Highlighted Quote

Boilerplate

In this new mini-series, I will be looking at a devotion that is said to be written by Corrie ten Boom.  Really, this devotion is like several that I had read.  They come from the writings of that person.  Thus, the prayers at the end may be the editor’s addition to what Corrie ten Boom actually wrote.

Each of these posts will include the suggested verses to read, a quote from the writing that came from a Corrie ten Boom book (five in all according to the copyright page, but no chapter in the book is given the specific book of origin).  I will also include the highlighted quote, similar to an internet quotation, and I will end with the quoted prayer for that devotion.

Discussion

Betsie had given Corrie an easy thing to be thankful for.  They were together.  Then Betsie pointed to the Bible that Corrie had smuggled into the camp.  It was a miracle that the guards were distracted so that their Bible made it past them.  Certainly, Corrie was thankful.  Then Betsie mentioned the fleas.  Corrie went along with Betsie’s praise for fleas, but her heart was not in the prayer.

Months later, the camp needed people who could knit.  Betsie was not only a fast knitter, but she produced good quality.  The camp commander had the knitters gather around Betsie.  Betsie pulled out her Bible and witnessed to the ladies from the other barracks.  Otherwise, they would never have a chance to speak to them.

Then, the commander came to the barracks door and ordered them to bring the finished knitted items.

They noticed that the commander would not enter the barracks.  The guards never entered the barracks.  It would be so easy for an inspection to produce the Bible, but none of the camp personnel ever went into the barracks.

They were afraid of the fleas.

I would think that 99 out of 100 Christians would read 1 Thessalonians 5 and come up with something for which they could not honestly go to God in thanks.

But then at the end of Romans 8, God promises us that all things work to the good for those that love the Lord.

Can you pray an honest prayer to thank God for fleas?

Where is the line that you would draw?

Well, maybe the first thing for which we should pray a prayer of thanksgiving is that God does not draw such lines.  He can be trusted that all things work for the good, even though they may not feel good at the moment.

Closing Prayer

“Father, You are glorious in all of Your Ways and in Your many blessings of mercy and grace. Forgive me for neglecting to thank You as often as I should. Like the angels around Your throne that ceaselessly cry, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’ If I spent all day, every day, praising You, it would never be enough. I want to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness. From the smallest pleasures to the most momentous events, may I become more aware of Your many blessings.”

• Corrie ten Boom, God is my Hiding Place (prayer for Day 2, Thankfulness)

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.