Thanks for Nothing, God!!
The phrase “Thanks for Nothing” is often used as a sharp rebuke to someone for not meeting our expectations. I would like to twist the usual use of the phrase just a little because we should thank God for a few “nothings”.
Have you ever started the day in a tough week and prayed, “Lord, I would love to have a day without any trouble.” He answers your prayer that day with nothing troublesome happening—no trouble, no drama, no flat tire, no unexpected dilemma; just nothing. “Thanks for nothing Lord!!”
You have prayed for all your friends who have battled cancer. You cried with them, consoled them, prayed for them as if they were your first-born child. You rejoiced when some won their battles and cried when others won their wars. Then one day you notice something unusual about your body. You think, “Maybe it’s nothing but it could be something, and oh, pray to God it is not the “c-word”, because we are even afraid to say the name. Finally, you go to the doctor and he tells you, it needs to be biopsied—more fear and uncertainty. The report finally comes back, and he says it is nothing. “Thank you Jesus! Thanks for nothing!!”
A few of us have had our name in the newspaper for some accomplishment or award; a touchdown, a graduation, a wedding, or an interview. Our grandmother cut out the clipping and attached to her refrigerator with a magnet shaped like an ear of corn. We saw it when we visited her and thought it a little corny [pun intended] but we still smiled with pride. Then again, it sure is nice not to be in the newspaper especially the obituaries, the fine print section where the legals are listed, or a local scandal with our name in bold headlines. “Yes Lord, thanks for nothing in the paper today!!”
When we have said our last good byes here, we will go to meet God ready or not. Our hearts break for the billions who will stand in judgement and have their many sins exposed because they were not washed away by the blood of Christ. I am aware of my many sins in this life; some I have tried to reason away and others are beyond any reasonable excuse. Somewhere along the journey, I was told that Jesus died for all my sins and wanted to wash me white as snow. How could it be that The One who was sinless became sin for me so that I could stand before Him pure and whole? It was just too good to be true but it is true and good, and so I believed. I foresee the day when my record is brought forth with rolls of the scroll. “Oh no, my sins must be all recorded and known!” He seriously looks on the pages, then smiles, and says, “They are all gone, washed in the flood of My pure blood. “Oh, Jesus my Savior and Lord, Thanks for Nothing!! For nothing of the record of my sins are found!!”
My Prayer: “Father, Thanks for the nothings I have had in life. I am no better than anyone else; I am undeserving of your grace and mercy but thank you for the nothings. Only by your grace; I have never buried a child, had a deadly disease, been without bread, or have been homeless. ONLY BY YOUR GRACE! And there are a number of nothings I can not even name because they never happened. Oh my precious Father, my wonderful Jesus, and my constant comforter Holy Spirit; THANKS FOR NOTHING AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!
Harry L. Whitt
Pathway Journey 