by Alan Langstaff

I believe that events in life can be used to grow our faith and trust in Him whether it be big miracles or small ones. I had such an experience recently, so let me tell you my story.

BACKGROUND TO THE STORY

Two years ago I had an accident in our kitchen. I fell over and broke my hip. My wife Dorothy called 911 and the police and fireman came to my help. They quickly realized I had done damage and so they arranged for an ambulance to come and take me to Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia. I ended up spending almost one week in the hospital. They had to stabilize my blood as I have a pacemaker. In the process, I had an operation on my hip and then I ended up in a facility in Excelsior where I spent the next three weeks in rehabilitation. I spent Christmas 2022 right there. My family came over one night and presented Christmas carols to the people.

Friends not only looked after Dorothy, who went onto Hospice care at home but also came to help me in many ways. I also appreciated that I had visits from family and friends.

Eventually, I came home, where Dorothy was receiving Hospice Care 24 hours a day. I continued with therapy at home and was using a walker to get around. I suddenly realized I could not afford to have another fall for it would not only affect me but Dorothy also.

So I made the decision to keep using the walker and so more likely reduce the possibility of another fall.

During that time Dorothy received excellent care and at the same time she continued to share the Lord with various people who came. She also gave away many copies of her book “Called Together.”

Eventually, in October 2023 Dorothy went to be with her Lord and we had a glorious memorial service to honor her and give glory to God.

I was left alone and so I decided to continue using the walker even though I could get around with walking sticks.

ANOTHER FALL

On Saturday, November 16th I had another fall in the bathroom as I was putting on my trousers. I fell backward and I ended up falling into the bath. The shower curtain cushioned my fall but there I lay in the bath. I have not been very mobile since I had the original fall, I couldn’t get out of the bath. So what was I to do? If I couldn’t get out then I would have to lay there in the bath for 24 hours till my grandson Mitchel would have come on Sunday morning to take me to church. It was a daunting thought to have since I had realized I could not get out of the bath.

Fortunately, I had my cell phone in my pocket so I called Mitchel and he happened to be home so he came over and got me out of the bath.

As I was lying there waiting for Mitchel to come (I realized it could be 20-30 minutes). I had a strong feeling come over me. I felt I should start in the middle of all this to praise and thank the Lord. So this I did.

1) I was thankful as I didn’t appear to have broken any bones and I was not hurting. The shower curtain had broken my fall. I did find out from a caregiver on the following Monday that I did have a bruise on my back. So I was thankful I had not broken any bones.

2) I was thankful that I had my cell phone with me. Otherwise, I would not have been able to call anyone. I need to get an “alert” button to wear all the time. Nevertheless, I was thankful for having my cell phone with me.

3) I was thankful that it was a Saturday and Mitchel was home and was able to come over straightaway and get me out of the bath.

4) I was thankful for God’s promise in Romans 8:28 that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

And I remembered that God’s word tells us “in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV).

Then after all that was done, a time of giving thanks to God, while I lay in the bath, revelation began to come into my mind. I began to think about how I could rearrange some things in the bathroom so that if I did fall again I would have something to fall on. This involved the bench I usually sit on when I am having a shower.

So all together it was a God moment a time to do what the Word says “in everything give thanks” and a time to receive some guidance as to protect myself from having this happen again.

A WORD FOR ALL OF US

The word of God is very clear “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV).

Now, it is easy to give thanks and praise the Lord when everything is going well; our marriage and home are going well, our children are doing well, our job or ministry is going well, our finances are going well and we could go on. But it is another thing “to give thanks” when things are not going well – when our marriage and family are not doing well, when our children are in trouble, when we have bills to pay and we don’t have the money to pay for them, when our car breaks down and needs repairs, when there are problems where we work or minister and we could go on.

You see the Bible says “in everything” not some things. When things are going well – in everything, especially when they are not going well. Everything means everything.

A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE

There is a great story in the Old Testament that illustrates the power that is released in times of trouble when we thank and praise the Lord. It concerns David (1 Samuel 30). David had been away with his men when the Amalekites had come to Ziglag and burned it with fire. They took captive the women and children but did not kill them. So David and his men came to Ziglag, which was now destroyed. David became very distressed because the people spoke of stoning him because their women and children had been taken away. So you could say it wasn’t a very good situation to be in. David had lost his wives and family and his people it seemed were blaming him.

So what did David do?

The Bible tells us “But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV).

How did he do that?

The Bible doesn’t say how he did it so let me suggest how he could have done it. I believe David began to praise the Lord and thank Him for his past victories and God’s provision. How he had been able to destroy the animals who came against his sheep. How God had given him victory over Goliath. How God had spared his life when Saul was out to kill him. And David could have gone on and on. Through it all David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

It was after this that God showed him what to do and he and his men recovered all that the Amalekites had taken away including their wives and children. Also, they captured much spoil and God gave him a great victory.

SO WHAT ABOUT US?

Especially in times of trouble let us begin to praise the Lord and thank him for His love and provision.

You may be facing all sorts of troubles right at this time, in your marriage and your family, in your finances, in your job or ministry, and we could go on. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, turn to the Lord, praise Him, thank Him, and believe by His grace He will show you what to do.

Just remember –

“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

That’s right – it is His will for us to do.

P.S. Good news a friend I have known for 40 years is planning to move into the house with me!