Give thanks in all circumstances!

The post for today, following on from the previous one, had already been prepared by Thursday evening.  This was because I "knew" that we would be travelling to France over the ensuing couple of days, and that I wouldn't have a lot of time to work on it. However, if I may quote the Scottish Bard, Rabbie Burns, "The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men gang aft agley,"! (free translation: No matter how carefully we make our plans, be we a mouse or a man, they have a habit of turning pear-shaped"! from his poem: "To a mouse").

Now, let me assure those who might seek such assurance, that our plans are always made with the proviso: "God willing" (often using the letters from the Latin version - D.V.), as we are instructed, in God's Word, to do just that. James writes, wisely: "...you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and we shall do this or that.” (4:15).

This is why I placed the word "knew" in quotation marks, in the first paragraph. I thought I knew - but events proved both the truth of Burns' words, and the wisdom of those written by James! For whatever reason, it would seem that our leaving at the time arranged was not the Lord's will for us! So, what happened?!

Well, we had our wee campervan loaded up; the empty baggage trailer was hitched on; and we left at about 0900. So far, so good. I topped up the fuel tank, and we headed south. All went well until we were on the A66, crossing the Pennines, and about 30 miles away from Scotch Corner. Suddenly, I noticed a warning light on the dashboard! Well, I enjoy driving but, when there is a problem … !!!

I did drive on until I came to a layby in which I could safely park, and telephoned the breakdown provider which I had arranged when I insured the vehicle. To cut a long story short, a mechanic arrived and tried something that he thought/hoped would rectify the problem. I then set off again, with the mechanic following closely behind in the breakdown truck. It wasn't too many minutes before the warning light was again showing, so I pulled in at a convenient road-end, and the mechanic pulled in behind me. After further tests, his advice was that we return home! We decided that this was wise advice and so I unhitched the trailer; the car was loaded on to the truck; the trailer was attached to the tow ball on the truck; and we set off for a Services on the M6. Here, because of distance regulations for the tow-truck, we transferred to another one, and completed the journey home.

The van is now outside my preferred garage, and I plan to be there tomorrow (Monday) morning, to take it across the road and let my own mechanic tell me how long the necessary repairs will take (and how much they will cost!!).

So I have been giving thanks. "Giving thanks?!", some may ask. "After all of that, and the upset to all of your plans, how can you honestly give thanks?" Well, I recalled a story about the prince of Bible Commentators, Matthew Henry.

(see https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/1996/march/1394.html)

So, I was able to give thanks that the engine failed on this side of the English Channel(La Manche). This is because although I had breakdown cover for within the UK, the age of the van meant that such was not available in France, or any other country in continental Europe. If the engine had failed, just as we disembarked from the ferry, it would have cost me a small fortune, and tested my French language skills, to arrange for a breakdown truck to take us to a local garage, and to pay for the work to be done there. Thank You, Lord.

I was also able to give thanks that it was only an engine fault, and not an accident with the potential to leave one, or both, of us badly injured. A mechanical fault is something that is much easier to deal with than a broken body! Thank You, Lord.

Of course, I was thankful that the two breakdown men were so friendly and helpful. Each of them ensured that we were take safely to our specific destination. Thank You, Lord.

I am thankful that the ferry company has already agreed to change our bookings - both to, and from France - for a small administrative fee. Thank You, Lord.

I am thankful that friends with whom we had arranged to stay; have lunch; visit; have accepted, so graciously, the unexpected situation. Thank You, Lord.

Above all, I am thankful that our heavenly Father is in control. We were "caught out" - but He wasn't. I have no doubt that, at some point, sooner or later, we will be able to look back, and be grateful that events transpired as they did. Thank You, Lord.

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, for you." (I Thess.5:16-18; emphasis added)

[The planned post on prayer will, D.V., be shared next time!  If you watched the interview with me, in the Congress, please feel free to offer some feedback. Thank you.]