Joseph’s brothers thew him in a pit and sold him into slavery. He wound up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Not much there to inspire gratitude.
Years went by. Joseph became the #2 man in Egypt, responsible for helping millions through an extended drought. He spoke graciously to his brothers:
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
In essence, thank You, God, for bringing good out of this mess.
Unexpected gratitude, indeed.
Good morning, Lord. We joke about “you’ll thank me later,” but how many times have I thanked You later? How often has my complaining turned into unexpected gratitude? Lots and lots! Thank You.
