Spending Time With God - Part V (Page 2)

Part V Continued

In my personal devotional life the first thing I do is type a letter to God on my computer. I put the date and begin, "Dear Father, thank you so much for a good night's sleep." If I didn't have a good one I say, "Thank you for the rest you gave me," because He didn't have to give me any! I thank Him for a warm shower, because I know what it is to take a cold one! I thank Him for Honey Nut Cheerios. On the days that Honey Nut Cheerios aren't there, I thank Him for Raisin Bran - second best. I thank God these days for my computers, both in the office and at home. I type it out, "Lord, thank you for this computer." I thank God for my truck, especially when it's running!

There are things I thank God for these days that I never used to mention. I used to thank Him for all the big things - for my family, health and life etc. But as time goes by, I find that I'm thanking Him more and more for the smallest things. We will always find something to thank God for. Paul said in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (NIV) Always include thanksgiving.

Years ago when I was a young Christian in college, I was on my way to South Carolina from Virginia to visit my family, and my car "died." I had a little blue Plymouth Cricket. Thank God they're not making them anymore! I was working two part-time jobs to help pay my tuition, one as a custodian and the other painting houses. I really needed a car to get to and from my jobs. So I earnestly prayed, "Lord, I'm having trouble. I need a car. Please help me get another car."