Be Thankful in All Circumstances

Here is the devotional message I gave last week in church:

Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5.16


There once was a little boy who was always optimistic and thankful. His father was the opposite, a cynical, negative man who found something wrong with everything (of course, the father labeled himself a "realist"). So, to teach his son "a dose of reality" the father gave the son a roomful of horse manure for his birthday.

The son's eye widened in delight when he saw the manure and squealed as he began digging in it with both hands. The father asked what was so great about it.

The boy replied, "There's got to be a pony here somewhere!!!"

I hope you find the pony this week, in whatever circumstances life gives you.