Do those words (spring break) make you think of sunny beaches, warm sand and ocean vistas? Maybe fun, frivolity and time with friends come to mind when spring break is mentioned. After all, spring break is something to look forward to, right? This week I have been on my spring break from school. Jealous? Want to know what words most accurately describe my spring break? Ok, here they are – taxes, mammograms and a summons to jury duty. Now some call a jury duty notice an invitation, but an invitation can be declined. You decline a jury summons – they call that “contempt of court.”

As my fun filled spring break is coming to an end, knowing what you now know, you might not be surprised if I said I was looking forward to returning to school. Today, while reflecting on my fun filled spring break week, these words came to mind –

“give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Ok, I can do that. I want to do that. And I will do just that. I am thankful to have a job which allows me to make money, even if I then have to pay taxes from that money. I am thankful to live in a free country, so I will gladly obey Jesus’s instructions on this matter, which are –

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)

I’ve been doing a lot of grumbling about “rendering unto Caesar” this week but reading anything from “Voice of the Martyrs” puts everything into proper perspective. I don’t want to ever forget how fortunate I am to live here. I will give thanks.

And I am thankful for the access to good healthcare that I have. I am thankful for all the hard working, highly trained medical professionals who work in all the different fields of medicine providing care to me and to you, dear readers, and to countless others. Instead of complaining about a mammogram, I will be grateful for preventative healthcare, including mammograms. I will “give thanks in all circumstances.”

I will give thanks for the privilege of living in a free country, a country with laws and courts and due process protections for everyone when accused of a crime. A jury made up of private citizens is a part of that lawful process of prosecution for wrongdoing and of protection of the wrongfully accused. I will be grateful for the opportunity to serve on a jury rather than see it as an inconvenience or as a punishment. Jury duty is a small price to pay for the luxury of living in a free society. I will give thanks for jury duty. I will “give thanks in all circumstances.”

So my spring break hasn’t exactly been a day at the beach. BUT – it did include a walk in the wild with a friend and other such friend meet ups. And giving thanks in all circumstances certainly does change my perspective about my supposed hardships this week. The simple act of telling God “thank You” increases my gratitude to Him exponentially. And it makes me realize once again –

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Being able to work and earn money is a gift, (even with taxes), having healthcare is a gift, being chosen (summoned) to participate in our system of justice is a gift. (even having a system of justice is a gift) So, today I will give thanks to God, I will be grateful, I will be glad and I will rejoice. And if anyone asks about my spring break, I will tell them it was really something, something to be thankful for! That is sure to leave them wondering where in the world I went or what in the world I did this week! (no need to mention that it consisted of taxes, mammograms and a jury duty summons)

thank You, Heavenly Father, for a wonderful spring break!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. . . . Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy.” (Psalm 107:1 & 21-22)

sincerely, Grace Day