There are some things I don’t like that are happening in my life right now.  I’m being audited by the IRS for the past three years.  And there is a possibility that I may be sued for an auto accident that happened years ago.

While dealing with the grief associated with my husband’s death and major life changes which go along with this realignment of my life, I’m not happy about these other obstacles hitting my life.

It was only one month after I learned about the audit that I received a letter from my insurance company.  When I was told I could be sued, I asked the Lord what was the lesson He wanted to teach me from these two bad situations.  Immediately, He spoke to my heart, “I want you to learn to enjoy the journey.”

God isn’t shaken by the IRS or a person who claimed he wasn’t injured until a lawyer contacted him.  The Lord knew that I would be facing these circumstances in the middle of a major life-changing event.  God isn’t wringing his hands, deeply concerned or sweating in anxiety.

But is this God’s plan for me?  Learn to enjoy the journey?  An ancient Chinese proverb says, “Today is the tomorrow you dreamt about yesterday.”  Sounds wise; but what does the Bible say about my situation?

When the people of Judea were sent to Babylon in exile, they were told by God to build houses, marry and have children.  The Lord, through Jeremiah, said that they would be in exile for 70 years; and they shouldn’t waste their time desiring to go home.  What was God’s plan for his children while in exile?  Enjoy the journey.

Too often we don’t take time to thankful for where we find ourselves at the moment. Instead we anxiously attempt to forecast what will be the next tornado.  We can’t enjoy lunch because we are concerned there will be no dinner.  We don’t sleep peacefully because we fret that we may not be able to function tomorrow.

Everyday I am confronted by people whose children and loved ones face debilitating diseases and circumstances.  These aren’t people who sinned but they were born with special needs.  This portion of our population almost never endures their trip through life.  They remain sincerely grateful for the journey.  A Thanksgiving value that could replace much of my worry and fitful unbelief is having a grateful heart for each new day.  The question I’m asking myself is Am I ready to show true thankfulness this Thanksgiving day by enjoying the journey?