Does God Really Tell Us to Give Thanks in Everything?

Autumn is my favorite time of the year. Indian summer days turning to cold, crisp nights. Flaming hues of red, gold, and orange atop towering trees. Big, snuggly sweaters with that favorite pair of jeans. Hot tea with honey to sip late in the evening, curled up with a good book. Thick, creamy soups, bubbling on the stove top and served with warm, buttery rolls.

First days of school and football games. Costumes and candy, tricks and treats as October draws to a close. And of course, that heavenly scent of turkey, gravy, and nutmeg, woven together in a colorful quilt of Thanksgiving aromas.

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Everyone came to our house on Thanksgiving. Happy chaos abounded in the kitchen as the turkey was carved, potatoes mashed, the gravy simmered. The ping-pong table was draped with sewn-together bed sheets, dish upon dish laid out, homemade name cards lovingly designed by my sisters and me (haphazard turkeys and pilgrims traced with crayons) placed by our "best" china: plastic Ronald McDonald plates (the only ones we had enough of for everyone!).

Family. Friends. Good food. Bounty.

And as that season approaches again this year, a still, small voice whispers:

Take time for thanks.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, "in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." There is a part of that verse that I don't like very much: the word everything.

When things are going well - the bills are paid, everyone is healthy, the line at the bank is short, your favorite cereal is on sale - it is so easy to feel thankful. To express our gratitude.

But there are times in our lives when things do not go well at all. Clouds roll in and colder winds begin to blow. How does one give thanks then?

I recall a few years back when our basement flooded. It was the first summer morning that Mom (that would be me!) was going to be able to sleep in. Instead, I was awakened to my husband saying, "I am so sorry to wake you honey, but the basement is flooded."