Jesus said that even evil fathers know how to give good gifts to their children (Matt 7:11). What he didn’t say is whether children of evil fathers actually think their gifts are any good when they are given to them. He also does not say that the evil fathers do give good things to their children, just that they know how to. For many people, all of those truths have marked their stories: Evil fathers, good gifts never given or never realized. Thankfully, elsewhere in the Bible there are also plenty of passages that discuss God’s sovereignty and His ability to take even the most crooked stick and straighten it. This week I gave my students an exercise as we headed into Thanksgiving break. The assignment was for them to consider an aspect of their past which was traumatic, tragic, horrible, frightening, depressing or painful and to find something amidst the debris that they can be thankful for today. I challenge all of us to consider our own stories this week and ask the same question. What gift has God hidden for me in my wounds and scars? What good gift was I given by an evil father that I never realized I had received? For inspiration, I share with you the testimonies of my students.
My family’s homelessness taught me an appreciation for simplicity and brought my family closer
A physically abusive relationship taught me to be strong, and how to forgive
The divorce and remarriage of my parents expanded a family
When my family disowned me, I found my Church family
I was able to serve my hero when my grandfather got cancer
A broken friendship helped me understand the dependable nature of God
My addiction to pornography has guarded my heart from pride and a judgmental spirit towards others
Loosing two friends to a Cult forced me to learn how to pray for others and strengthened and challenged me to know what I believe about God
An injury cut an athletic career short, and opened the door to deep and lasting friendships
The years I spent cutting myself and the death of my grandmother gave me an appreciation for the gift of life
Seasons of loneliness taught me the importance of friendships
My story of sexual abuse has given me access into the stories of others where I can help them heal
Enduring ten years of surgeries taught me patience in God’s timing for healing
My depression and suicide attempt introduced me to the voice of the Lord whispering “I love you.”
Today I am thankful for one of the deepest and most mysterious truths revealed in Scripture, that “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done” (Gen. 5:20). The comfort we find in God during the nightmares of our lives is not that he prevents them, but that he is good enough, loving enough, and powerful enough to transform them into the unforeseen chapters of our lives, without which our stories would never be complete. Happy Thanksgiving.
