Yesterday morning, after devotions, posting my blog, etc. I popped a small turkey in the oven. Our oldest son called to wish us happy thanksgiving. Then our other son, our daughter and her daughters arrived. We enjoyed the meal. Then my sister phoned. After her call, we called a friend in Scotland who wanted to be here with us for this feast. Everyone had a turn on the phone with her, then we watched our home team lose a football game. At the same time, some competed at the ping-pong table, and when the football ended, all played a particular card game that has become a family tradition. Even though my head cold had me feeling terrible, it was nice to hear their laughter and the usual banter about who was winning or losing and why.
I’m thankful for several things; one is that God allows trivia in our lives. Most of our activities had little long-term significance, but as we ate and played, negative attitudes vanished. The trivia facilitated rapport, then harmony. That is a good thing.
I’m also thankful for what was behind that transformation—the power of God who answers prayer. The day started with anger and a situation that could have ruined it. When our oldest son called, I explained and asked him to pray. When my sister called, I did the same thing. We also alerted our ‘other daughter’ in Scotland. Within a very short time, a few words and what seemed like meaningless trivia worked to relieve the pressure and change attitudes. What could have been a confrontational and angry day turned into a good day, a happy thanksgiving.
This morning I read Acts 6. Saul had just witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen. The church was scattered. It seemed like a disaster. However, “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”
Before that happened, “Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.”
Chaos seemed to rule, yet God was not thwarted by this rotten event. He still produced positive results. Those who were fleeing Saul still told people about Jesus and they paid attention. The church grew and joy prevailed.
God not only uses trivia, but disaster, for His purposes. He is not limited by our actions, inactions, or negativity. He can take anything and turn it around to suit His purposes. Yesterday, and today, and as far ahead as I can see, I’m thankful for a God whose plan for our lives, no matter what, cannot be thwarted.
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