Article November 21, 2016 Issue

Dear God … Thank You for being You

Judith Hardy Olson

I’ve always loved the old folk tale about the devil going out of business, selling all his tools. There they were, all lined up, labeled and priced—fear, envy, malice, jealousy, hatred, deceit, sensuality, etc. And the most worn and highest priced one? It was a harmless-looking wedge called “discouragement.”

When asked why it was so expensive, the devil explained it was because it was his most valuable: “I can get into a person’s heart and mind with that one when I have no success with any other tool. Very few know that tool belongs to me.” Asked if there was a heart he couldn’t get a hold of with “discouragement,” he said, “Yes. A grateful one.”

This tale and its lesson came back to me when I needed it most. It was a time when the Bible’s reminder, “And be ye thankful,” became more precious and important than ever to me.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The where of prayer