"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1 Ken and I had been friends for many years before we started "dating". After a period of time, the topic of marriage started to be discussed more frequently, and we both felt that it was God's plan for us to be married to each other. Christmas was approaching as the marriage discussion was intensifying, so when he kept dropping hints such as, "I can't wait to give you your Christmas gift!" or "You're just going to love what I got you this year" or "You're going to be so surprised this year." Visions of diamonds started to dance in my head!
One day, he offered to take my car for an oil change, and on his way back, he called and said, "I can't wait any longer. I have to give you your Christmas gift tonight!" Instantly, I started shaking. However, I was a little taken back when he arrived at my apartment and said, "Okay, we have to go out to the parking lot." Thinking this must be part of his grand proposal plan, I didn't question and just went along with it. As we walked outside, he insisted, "Now close your eyes!"
Trying not to get too emotional and wondering "Who should I call first? My mom? Sisters? Grandma? Best friend?" I obeyed and closed my eyes. Then, with exuberant excitement, Ken gave the big direction, "Okay, you can open them!"
Instantly, I opened my eyes and discovered him pointing at my car. Noticing my confusion, he quickly pointed out, "See, I got you new tires!!"
That was a wonderful gift, a very thoughtful gift, a generous gift, and a much needed gift! However, it's not exactly the gift I had been expecting and as a result, my initial response was not as grateful as it should have been.
Have you ever been there?
As Thanksgiving approaches, it makes me realize how frequently I continue this same sinful behavior. I have been blessed with so many gifts that I tend to overlook or take for granted.
Yesterday in Chapel, Mrs. Rupe gave a wonderful message with the perfect visual aide of a donut. In her message, she was complaining that all of her wonderful donuts had holes in them. As a result, she didn't like or want them. Students were shocked at her initial statements, but in her fabulous ability to make Biblical connections and applications, she successfully made her point. Sometimes, we focus on the holes in life so much, that we miss the sweet blessing of the donut. Sometimes, when things don't go the way that we expect, we miss seeing the blessings.
During the year of 2020, there have been many curveballs, unexpected circumstances, challenges, disappointments, etc., that left many holes in our plans. However, God is still on the throne, and He continues to bless us abundantly. "DONUT" miss noticing them!
This Thanksgiving, and always, may God give us the ability to focus on the countless and continuous blessings that He showers upon each of our lives.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Palka