An ungrateful heart is a difficult thing to overcome, especially when the very thing we wanted is not what we’ve been given. We grumble, whine and complain as we dig ourselves deeper into a pit of discontentment. But this is not how we are meant to live. I hope you’ll find encouragement from Debbie Wilson, as she shares a valuable lesson in braving her own ungrateful heart.
Every time I slid behind the wheel of my cheerful yellow car, I gave thanks. The Lord had provided this used car at an affordable price just in time for a cross-country trip. It was perfect for hauling my toddler and preschooler and a direct answer to prayer. That’s why I couldn’t understand why I had to lose it.
My husband, Larry, and I spent a month on a mission trip in Eastern Europe. The experience filled our hearts and also emptied our pocketbooks. Our mission organization required us to raise money for our salary and the trip. Donations came in designated for the trip, however, we returned to short paychecks and soon realized that some donors had diverted their regular support for our trip, not added to it.
Larry’s elderly grandfather passed away, and Larry’s parents offered us his 1973 green Buick La Sabre. Since Granddad’s car wouldn’t sell for much, Larry decided to sell my car to solve our financial shortfall. The green giant had baked in the hot Arizona heat during Granddad’s decline. Rust spots showed through oxidized paint, the vinyl roof peeled like a bad sunburn, and the dingy interior recalled Granddad’s years of smoking.
Larry and I worked with high school students in one of the wealthiest areas in the country. Their up-to-date sports cars highlighted our rundown vehicle. Our church parking lot gleamed with polished Mercedes and BMWs.
One day, a young man helping me carry my groceries said, “Let me guess which car you drive.” He pointed out cars I wished I could claim. Reluctantly, I pointed to the green dinosaur. “Oh. I like vintage cars,” he politely said.
The car was also unreliable.
One morning it stalled on at a busy eight-lane intersection with my children in their car seats. A kind stranger, in the next lane, motioned for us to join her.
A friend wanted to have the car painted and install a new vinyl roof to surprise Larry. I’m not sure what I expected, but the car came back the same dated monstrosity, only with a fresh exterior. It was not the sporty yellow car I missed.
I was pondering my disappointment on the drive home that night after dropping off students from Bible Study when I sensed the Lord interrupt my thoughts. Debbie, have you thanked Me for this car?
How can I thank You when I am not thankful?
Scripture filled my thoughts. “Give thanks in all circumstances… “(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). “We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” (Romans 8:28, NASB).
To refuse to give thanks now would be blatant disobedience. Oh Lord, You know how I feel about this car. How can you ask me to be thankful?
The pressure persisted. Lord, I do not feel thankful. This car is ugly and has caused me inconvenience and humiliation. I took a deep breath and went on. But if you insist—THANK YOU; thank you for knowing my needs. Thank you that this is your will for me now. And thank you that you will use this for my good.
Later I realized, although I did not wake up to a new car, I did wake up to a new attitude.
My grudge and self-consciousness vanished. The car stopped breaking down—maybe because we had replaced every hose and valve, or maybe because of God’s grace.
The next year we left sunny California and moved to northern Indiana. The green giant’s spacious interior and smooth ride provided a delightful trip. It started every morning in the below freezing temperatures with the first crank. Its heater never failed. While fellow seminarians worried about how the salted roads would tarnish their cars, we had no concerns. The car became a great blessing and moved us to Oklahoma where we finally sold it.
This unwanted gift taught me a valuable lesson in the art of giving thanks. It’s not hypocritical to thank God before you feel thankful. Giving thanks is about trusting God, and God really does work all things together for the good of His children.
It's not hypocritical to thank God before you feel thankful. #MadeForBrave Sisterhood with @DebbieWWilson #attitude of #gratitude #MadeForBrave Share on X
Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, twenty-four years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson writes, speaks, and coaches to connect people’s hearts to God and help them discover relevant faith. She is the author of Little Women, Big God and Give Yourself a Break. She and her husband, Larry, founded Lighthouse Ministries in 1991. Dark chocolate and two standard poodles keep her smiling.
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Sisters, we are called to walk the way of hope instead of the way of defeat. We must claim more than our title of “Daughter of the King.” We must step up and also claim our position.
And we must claim these together. As a sisterhood; a sisterhood of brave women who stand strong in the promises of who God is and who we are.
- We all are Made for Brave.
- We are made to live for something authentic and brave.
- In living brave, we silence the past, transform the future, and take a front row seat to God’s wild and uncontainable love!
So, I’m inviting you to join this Made for Brave Sisterhood, each Monday as we share our stories and allow God to bring hope and healing. Let’s commit to being authentic and brave, one step at a time, side by side, holding each other up and nudging each other toward our true selves. And let’s claim the victory waiting on the other side of brave; for ourselves and our sisterhood.
Let’s celebrate our tears and our struggles as we peel away the layers of fear to reveal the beauty of brave.
Let’s risk everything that brave requires for everything that brave has to offer…
Becoming who we were created to be!
In living brave, we silence the past, transform the future, and take a front row seat to God’s wild and uncontainable love! #MadeforBrave #Hope Share on XDo you have a Made for Brave story to share? Get the writing guidelines and submit your stories HERE!
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