A loud explosion interrupted President John Tyler’s quiet cruise on the new steam warship Princeton. One of the ship’s guns had suddenly exploded. When the smoke had cleared, several of the prominent guests on board, including the president’s secretary of state and secretary of the Navy, were dead. Tyler would never forget the tragic events of this day for the rest of his life.
Why Give Thanks?
There is another reason why President Tyler never forgot this day. Julie Gardiner, the single, adult daughter of David Gardiner, was on board the Princeton with her father when the explosion occurred. Sadly, David was killed in the blast. Julie was safe but shaken. Tyler personally carried her off the warship to a rescue boat. Through his thoughtful and consistent concern in the following days, the president won her heart. Four months later, they were married.
Had the accident never occurred, President Tyler might never have had the opportunity to build a relationship with Julie. Awful as the tragedy was, Tyler still had reason to give thanks.
First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Maybe it’s just me, but gratitude doesn’t come easy in all circumstances because all circumstances aren’t good: Miscarriage plunges a couple into grief. Terminal illness robs a child of life and their future. Ethnically-motivated violence makes our streets and neighborhoods less safe. A contentious presidential election exposes deep division in our “United” States.
Universal Gratitude: Unrealistic or Wise?
How could thanksgiving be the will of God for us? Such advice may seem unrealistic in a modern age with complicated problems. Yet we know the counsel is sound because it was inspired by a God who works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Gratitude elevates us to see that good in our challenging circumstances.
This gives us two options: 1. Concentrate on God’s character and give thanks, or 2. Concentrate on our circumstances and get irritated. The choice and the results are up to us, so we should choose wisely.
When I read “The Oyster Poem” below, it reminds me of the power of making the right choice when I face difficult circumstances:
There once was an oyster whose story I tell,
Who found that sand had got under his shell,
Just one little grain, but it gave him much pain,
For oysters have feelings although they’re so plain.
Now, did he berate the working of Fate,
Which had led him to such a deplorable state?
Did he curse out the government, call for an election?
No; as he lay on the shelf, he said to himself,
“If I cannot remove it, I’ll try to improve it.”
So the years rolled by as the years always do,
And he came to his ultimate destiny — stew.
And this small grain of sand which had bothered him so,
Was a beautiful pearl, all richly aglow.
Now this tale has a moral — for isn’t it grand
What an oyster can do with a morsel of sand?
What couldn’t we do if we’d only begin
With all of the things that get under our skin?
– Author Unknown
Gratitude and Your Grain of Sand
What is the grain of sand that is irritating you right now? It could be as nationally devastating as the Princeton explosion, or it could be something personal on a much smaller scale. You may not have power to remove or reverse it, but you can give thanks. That may be the first tiny step you take toward improving the situation and your outlook.
God is always working for the good of those who love Him – but it takes a thankful person to recognize this. Seek to become that person today.
Article by Cam Edwards
0 Comments