1 Thessalonians 5:^16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live. (Message)

Being a single parent for all those years was financially challenging. When people lent a helping hand I was thankful. There were many times I'd ask God where the next loaf of bread was coming from as my pay check or the child support would be a few days away. And I'd go home to find groceries waiting for me, or a check in the mail. Much of this was given anonymously. It did cause me to rejoice and be thankful. I helped me know God really did want to take care of us.

There were times though when being thankful was a challenge and that was when we were given junk. Someone would think we should want the stuff of theirs that was really ready for the trash. Then there were the times people did what wasn't needed and were infuriated because my thanks wasn't ebullient. I tried to be polite but my heart obviously wasn't in it. Looking back I realize those people did it for their own gratification not out of love. There strings attached to what they did.

What brought me to musing about this is our current economy and how it is effecting my husband and me and my kids and their families. The President made no secret that he planned on redistributing wealth. So that brought me to thinking about the attitudes of some in the "minority" communities and I had to wonder about some things. Will those who have felt disrespected, insulted, held down and kept back (and many have been) then do the same and worse to those they perceive to be the enemy? Will they realize that not all people of a different "race" are their enemy and that they never were?

At the same time as things get financially challenging will we, who are not a minority, have an attitude of gratitude for what we do have? Do we have it now? Will we fall into the trap of resenting any one who seems to have more? Will we curse our leaders and forget to pray for them? Will we continue to speak life and blessings and find true joy in Jesus? Will Christians come together in His Spirit and forget racial barriers? What kinds of strings will be attached to a helping hand?

And what about our faith? The persecution of the church is growing. Will we stand strong for Jesus no matter what?

There is a refining fire coming to our hearts. God wants us to be pure in heart so we can see Him. If we allow Him now access to all of us, not hold one thing back, then it will not be nearly so traumatic.