Are you tempted, like me, to grumble when the earth and everything in it does not perform to your liking? While it is true that every good thing comes from God, we are off base to thank Him when things go our way and grumble when they do not.
My Friday went sideways. I bought furniture a couple of weeks ago and scheduled delivery. The first delivery got rescheduled. So on Friday, excitement ruled the morning. The scheduler informed me that I would receive a call when they were approximately 30 minutes from delivery. After 2 pm a magical delivery truck containing my new furniture would arrive. But, at 11:20 am I received a call saying they were on the way, arriving at noon, not after 2 pm as scheduled. My delicately balanced schedule collapsed like a house of cards. I canceled all my early afternoon plans and headed home.
It took a few minutes to recalibrate my day. So, on the way home I drove a little quicker than normal. According to the call, I only had 30ish minutes to get home. That required some additional speed and no delays.
As I pulled into the left turn lane to get on the smaller roads near my house, I saw to my right a horse and buggy first in line to go straight across the intersection. Horse and buggies are common here, but still a novelty to me – unless they are in my way. Then they only serve to build character and patience, lots of patience.
Immediately, I realized getting in line behind him would push my already tight schedule. Just then, I got a turn signal, beating him through the intersection. “Thank you, Jesus!”
I arrived home with no big truck waiting for me. Nervous energy had me bouncing around, getting things ready for the arrival of my new furniture. I cleared the pathways and unlocked the front door. My ears tuned in to any noise that resembled a big truck rumbling up my street. Over and over again I stood to peer out the front window, expecting the truck. 30 minutes passed, then an hour. Another hour ticked away.
Anger settled in.
Why? I thought. Why in the world is life conspiring against me?
I had multiple internal conversations with the company. Scathing reviews to write floated through my head. My furniture arrived 5 hours after the phone call.
I managed to be kind to the men on the truck. After all, they brought in my furniture, set it up, and took away all the protective wrapping when they left. I do not know what happened after they called. In the end, I was just happy to have my furniture.
All afternoon, as I waited, beating that horse through the intersection stayed at the forefront of my mind. It turns out, I had plenty of time to creep along behind him, had that happened.
God is good, regardless of our irritations and celebrations. His goodness does not depend on our druthers or the ups and downs of any given day. In all things, thank Jesus. But, avoid the trap of remembering His goodness only when you get your way.
What can you thank God for today?
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 (CSB)