Thank you for the fleas

Cover of The Hiding Place

"Thank you for the fleas" By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 32 "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect".

David, in verse 18: 32, says God encircles him with vigor and makes his way smooth and easy. Considering what David went through, it's interesting he describes his life as free of obstacles. It's like Paul describing what he went through as "light afflictions" (2 Corinthians 4: 17)--being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. The perspectives of these two men on life are obviously different than what many people have today. In our day, breaking a vase may cause serious tears. Locking the keys in the car is worth moaning about for days. Having to wait in line warrants heavy sighs and angry stares. What made David feel like fighting a giant, being turned on by Saul, being hunted by his enemies, having to live in a cave, and having his son conspire to kill him, were all part of a perfect way? How could Paul consider it a mild inconvenience to be shipwrecked? The perfect way is when you accept God is in control of your life. If you waited in line and used that time to enjoy chatting with strangers, it would not feel stressful. If you looked at locking your keys in the car as a lesson in not rushing, you would not be as upset. Each and every thing we go through, when we have submitted to Christ is part of a perfect way which leads to him. We learn new skills, we develop compassion, we become wiser, and we become more patient people as we live out each day knowing God is in control. With God's strength encircling us, everything becomes part of his plan. In Corrie Ten Boom's book THE HIDING PLACE, her sister Betsie illustrates this point. Betsie gave thanks for everything truly believing the scripture, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). When Betsie and Corrie were assigned a barrack in the prison camp, it was infested with fleas. That first night, Betsie included thanks for the fleas in her evening prayer. Corrie mentally rolled her eyes. It was weeks later they noticed the guards did not raid their barracks like they did the other barracks at night. Because of the fleas, the guards stayed away thus allowing Corrie and Betsie to read the Bible to the other inmates each evening. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8: 28). All Christians are called to God's purpose and because of our love for God (and his love for us) we can trust everything that happens will turn out for the good. It may take time to see the overall purpose but by trusting it is there, you will not get upset as you are facing "light afflictions". There was a mother who got impatient with every delay that kept her from getting on the road at the designated hour. Over time she became familiar with Romans 8: 28 and began to accept these delays as God's way of keeping her off the road for a specific time. She adopted the attitude that every delay may have been designed to help her avoid a fatal accident or some other tragedy. She, therefore accepted delays without fuss—when she was late she was late. She also thought of Betsie--in all things she gave thanks and believed that all things work for the good. This made the mother's way perfect, Like David and Paul, regardless of what was going on. The strength she gained through her God-given life experiences helped her minister to others in a more excellent manner.

Dear God, as I go throughout my day, help me remember Betsie thanking you for the fleas. Help me adopt a grateful attitude and a trustful heart knowing you are in control and you know what's best for me. I ask this in Christ's name, Amen.