Thinking more about last week’s “thought”… Look at the places people have been when they gave thanks (keep in mind this is as random as my brain):
- Paul gave thanks in palaces before kings, in the depths of the ocean, seated before a fire on an unplanned island destination, and chained in prison.
- David gave thanks while hiding in a cave, on the run, in the midst of battles, in the camp of his enemies the Philistines, and living in a luxurious palace.
- Moses gave thanks in a dry desert, while walking in circles.
- Abraham gave thanks in a tent.
- Adam gave thanks in a lush garden.
- Samuel and Solomon gave thanks in the temple/church.
- Many of the prophets gave thanks while in slavery to their captors.
- Daniel gave thanks in the den of lions.
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego gave thanks in a fiery furnace.
- Jesus gave thanks in solitary places and on his journey to Calvary.
- The apostle John gave thanks in exile.
- Jonah offered a song of thanks in the belly of the whale.
- Jeremiah gave thanks while in stocks.
- Mary, the mother of Jesus, sang her Magnificat in her cousin’s home.
- Mary (the “other” Mary) gave thanks at Jesus feet.
- Stephen gave thanks while being stoned to death in a pit.
- The disciples gave thanks in an upper room.
- Peter gave thanks in the middle of a city square…and before the Sanhedrin (the same ones who had Jesus crucified).
- Cornelius gave thanks in his home.
Seems like at all times and in all places, thanksgiving is a very good thing!