In Everything
In everything give thanks: for the this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
I Thessalonians 5:18
“What are we going to do, Carly?” Carly and Molly stood in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at the twenty dollar bill like it was a snake in the grass. “I know Mrs. Moore doesn’t have extra money.”
Carly shook her head. “I didn’t expect money for helping her clean her basement.”
“Let’s give it back,” said Molly.
“Good idea. I don’t think we should take it either.” Carly twirled and ran up to the house and tucked the money in between the screen and the front door. “She’ll find it there when she opens the door to get her paper this afternoon.”
Five minutes later the girls rushed through the kitchen door to find their mom pulling cookies from the oven. “How’s Mrs. Moore?”
Carly plopped down at the table and reached for a cookie. “She’s fine. She gave us twenty dollars.”
“But we gave it back,” Molly said. “We left it between her screen and the front door.”
“Oh girls. You shouldn’t have done that.” Mom sat down.
“Why?” Carly asked. “She doesn’t have to pay us. She already said thank-you.”
“We thought she probably doesn’t have much money anyway,” said Molly.
“Those things are true,” agreed Mom. “But, she knows what she can afford. Besides, it gives her an opportunity to thank you in the way she believes God wants her to.”
“I don’t get it.” Carly shook her head.
“Look at it this way,” Mom said. “Remember the verse that says ‘In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you?’”
“Sure, Mom.” Molly grabbed another cookie. “What does that have to do with us? Isn’t that talking about when bad things happen?”
“It does get used a lot in that situation, but it says everything, not just the bad things. I think you should be thankful that Mrs. Moore decided to say thank you with money. It’s a good thing all the way around. Mrs. Moore receives a blessing by saying thank you in this way, and you receive a blessing by getting an unexpected gift.”
Mom smiled at the girls. “I’m thankful for girls who aren’t selfish but I think it would be best if you accept her money.”
“You’re right, Mom. Let’s go get that money, Molly before Mrs. Moore finds it.”
“Hurry back.” Mom pointed to the table. “There are more cookies.”
Carly grinned. “I’m thankful for that, too.”
