I didn’t get this, thank God

When a gift is in front of us—we can see it, play with it, eat it, whatever—it’s easy to be thankful.

But how often do we thank God for what he didn’t give us?

• I’m thankful I didn’t catch Morgan’s virus when I was in Auburn last week
• I’m thankful I didn’t fall asleep driving home when my eyes felt so heavy
• I’m thankful I didn’t quit going to church every time I was bored/tired/sad/frustrated/etc.
• I’m thankful I didn’t leave for Hardee’s the morning my mom died and miss her final hour
• I’m thankful I didn’t let insecurity prevent me from getting to know the smart guys at church
• I’m thankful I didn’t pull out out of the garage too fast the day I bumped the dog
• I’m thankful I didn’t get a ticket when I was speeding between home and anywhere else
• I’m thankful I didn’t give up homeschooling all the times I thought about it
• I’m thankful I didn’t blurt out everything I was thinking
• I’m thankful I didn’t go home but stuck around for class instead
• I’m thankful I didn’t let fear of a repeat keep me from having another child after Kali died
• I’m thankful I didn’t quit the 5:30 singing time
• I’m thankful I didn’t keep saving the Moleskine journal for the ‘perfect’ use
• I’m thankful I didn’t put off too long revisiting my mom’s assisted living facility
• I’m thankful I didn’t give up on all men just because one relationship turned sour
• I’m thankful I didn’t run face-to-face into that particular temptation that would have undone me

And

• I’m thankful I’m not getting the punishment I deserve...
• ...or the hell I’ve earned
• ...or the consequences I’m due
   

Lord,
Thank you for not giving me those things and many, many more.
You’re all good—in what you give and what you don’t give.
Not getting what I don’t need is a major gift.

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