Loved ones in Christ, we are abounding with thanksgiving.

Or we should be, and increasingly so.

Yesterday, in neighboring communities around me, multiple tornadoes and hailstorms hit with unsurprising unpredictableness. For those who live in areas where tornadoes frequently occur, we know that when the sirens go off (and the environment grows strangely and suddenly quiet), it is wise to take shelter quickly. Because the conditions are ripe in a wide span, but the actual formation can occur and strike anywhere within. And the thing may lift an object or person and set them back down rather unscathed. Or it may impale one object with another in a split second.

It all passed my husband and I by — and passed by our loved ones as well. And we were thankful.

But many homes, churches, and businesses were moderately damaged — or blown apart. And many people, even some whole towns, are now in great need.

This morning, in the impending lull (since more tornadoes, hail impacts, and other dangerous weather is very likely in the coming 24 hours), Paul and I ran to get groceries. I stepped into the ladies’ room and overheard a mom and her two young daughters speaking to an elderly woman while they were waiting in line. The older girl, who was perhaps five, was excited to share that they were at the store specifically to buy food supplies and gift cards for families who had lost their homes yesterday.

My immediate reaction was to smile and then to think silently to myself, “In hearts that see clearly, tragedy beckons charity to rise up and minister. And it is sweet.”

I hope and pray that if my home were suddenly destroyed by a natural disaster….or my loved ones were suddenly cut off from me by unforeseen events…that my heart would still be abounding in thankfulness. But the realistic part of my brain says that it is easier to say “thank you, God” when things turn out favorably in my mind versus if they don’t. And, frankly, it so often takes enduring scary and hard times to make us pause and question how much gratitude we own internally. It is far less often that we daily and genuinely practice the habit of counting our blessings and speaking thankfulness from the heart — especially when the things God wills are not what we would will if it were up to us.

But we are encouraged and even commanded in Scripture to abound or overflow with gratitude. It is to be ever-increasing in us, day by day, no matter our life circumstances, and no matter how easy or hard it may feel. God knows our very human feelings, but as the goodness of Christ sanctifies us in ever-greater measure, He helps us to move past our feelings to also remember all that He is and all that He gives. And this can fill us with thankfulness and joy. And, as in the case of the little girls at the store, generosity.

So let us remember today all He has saved us from — and for. And let us be who we are.

Be abounding with thanksgiving.

Dear ones, we are misunderstood.

I currently work in a customer service job for a commercial insurance company. I take many calls from people who are newer to trucking, taxi driving, and the like — or they have been in the business for some time but have never previously been covered by the company I represent. And it is my job to answer their billing questions. I was not a math-accounting major in higher ed, and I have not taken a math class since high school geometry. But my years as an ESL educator and as a counseling major have prepared me for this job.

I often have to take wording and numbers from written communication and try to translate them into terms that salt of the earth (and salty) individuals can understand. Some people are already frustrated when the call starts, but I am able to help them calm down and reach a place of reason and solution. Other people start off calm but confused, yet end up disconnecting the call on me mid-response. And some people just flat out start mad and end even madder, reminding me of the ugly side of human nature that needs an extra smattering of God’s grace.

There are times when I explain something methodically and the caller tracks with me and can say, “Got it, that makes sense now.” But there are other times when I have to explain it over and over again on one call or in a series of interactions. In the latter cases, sometimes those people will still be frustrated and not understand. But the situations that are perhaps the most rewarding are the ones in which we’ve had to go over it all 2+ times and then there is the light bulb moment and the relief in their voice when it all comes together, and they feel empowered to understand their own rights or business or options.

Jesus said that we, as followers of Him, would face trouble, but He called us to have peace and take heart in the midst of it (John 16:33). And in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul clearly points to the idea that what we understand, know, and embrace will seem like foolishness, insanity, and nonsense to the non-believer.

We will be misunderstood.

Some people who see and hear us will never understand.

But others will understand after they have seen and heard a certain number of times.

And every now and then, you or I will be fortunate enough to be the one who gets to explain it one (last) time and see the beauty of another’s light bulb moment.

But while I have continued to learn, over the past many months, of ways to answer questions more clearly and concisely, the procedures of my employer and the truths I need to convey have not really changed.

Likewise, in the face of those around us misunderstanding what we know to be true — in the face of their rejection or anger or mocking: we must not water down the core message, nor should we be ashamed.

Just because what is communicated is not understood does not make it any less true, good, or right.

So, stand up today — stand strong. Run the risk of being misunderstood by the many for the sake of the ones near you who need to hear or see Jesus. Again.

Be who you are. And take heart. The One we adore has been misunderstood for millenia.