Give Thanks

   There was an old Scottish minister who was always noted for his prayers of thanksgiving. No matter what the day or week was like this man always found something for which to give thanks! The people in the congregation use to shake their head in amazement. One Sunday only a few managed to make it to church. The weather was utterly chaos. Rain, thunder, lighting, high winds and whatever could make the day miserable combined together to make this day utterly miserable. The people in the pew knew that there was nothing for which the preacher could give thank today. They were utterly amazed as the he began his prayer with the familiar words; “Dear God we thank You,” (for what the people wondered) “that every day is not like today.”

   That little story by the way is true. Even in the midst of a storm there is always something to be thankful for. The people of St. Andrews and indeed the people of Bermuda were thankful that every day was not like last Sunday! Churches across the Island were cancelled because of Hurricane Leslie. I received emails from as far away as Calgary Alberta saying that they had heard of the storm and that they were praying for us.

   Well, even amidst a storm there was much we could give thanks for. First, Hurricane Leslie was downgraded from a hurricane two to a hurricane 1. Secondly, we were thankful that it was further downgraded from a Hurricane 1 to a Tropical Storm. Third, we were grateful that the center of the storm did not pass directly over us but close to a 165 miles to our east. Fourthly, we were thankful that the storm at least in our part of the Island consisted of heavy rain although in some places there was some high wind. Fifthly, Jill and I are very grateful that our cistern has reached the overflowing mark which means that we will have plenty of water over the coming months. So, even amidst a storm there is much for which to give thanks.

   We are also very grateful though that today was not like last Sunday in that we did not have to cancel church. Today, we had a great attendance. Praise God!