Attitude of Gratitude

Colossians 3:15 -- "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Looking down at the dark cobblestones it would have been easy to miss the men approaching on tip-toe - snaking their way up close, behind Matthew Henry. Slick from fog and dimly lit with tallow-filled street lamps, the London traffic-ways were a labyrinth and darkness pressed in around Matthew as the quiet seemed to roll in on the mists.  Though hundreds of years before Jack the Ripper would roam these streets, the look was not much different. Crimes were still easily committed in crowded roadways jammed with down-trod commoners. Buildings that stood elbow to elbow provided shadow and hidden nooks ripe with perfect darkness. Perfect places for sinister souls to hide and lie in wait.

Matthew never discovered exactly what was used to hit him on the head. But it was solid and sturdy. One blow put him to the ground where he was found snoring the next morning as the sun came up to light the streets that would bustle with day-time life.

It has been said that a person is well tested when adversity rears it's ugly head. Know trouble and know the type of man you are. Know what holds the bones together and from Whom you draw your strength. 

Mugged of all he had, sore from the beating the cobblestones delt him when his body slumped to the ground, and tired from spending the night stretched out on cold wet stones, Matthew stepped out from the crowded Constable's quarters where he filed his meager report of theft - and made his way back home. Here is where we learn what Matthew Henry was truly made of.

Somewhat a public figure with a deep routed desire to share the gospel in plain terms with as many  people as he possible could, Matthew spent his life publishing commentary on both the new and the old testaments.  Hunched over each and every verse of the Bible, Matthew provided an exhaustive - verse by verse - detailed layman's study of the Scriptures. Labeled a nonconformist and an outcast by many recognized Anglican churches, Matthew's passion was very clearly the will and Word of God.

Nestled deep within this passionate heart is the real deal. A badly bruised and broken man, Matthew has every right to the anger that should be welling up inside him. He lost what he considered to be - his everything. But in the yellowed hand-written pages of Matthew's journal, we don't find an angry soul clawing it's way out of a battered spirit. Instead, we find these words:

Matthew Henry

"Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

Penned in the 1620's, these words will go on to fill the hearts of men and women alike for hundreds of years to come. Billy Graham will use them from the pulpit. Other evangelists use Matthew's famous quote on the the relationship between men and women.  But it is, perhaps, this humble attitude of gratitude that best describes the man, Matthew Henry. To this day his words apply. His words inspire, motivate, and encourage. 

If you have been to my house, you have seen a pink, thin-lined journal sitting on my counter top. It's my challenge. At the beginning of this year I was challenged to come up with 1000 gifts - 1000 graces for which I should be grateful. 1000 things listed on a page, for which I can tell God thank you. It's a challenge because so often in this life I can name reasons for which I am frustrated. Things that annoy me, interrupt my happiness, or cause me to fret and worry. So quickly are we, as a species, able to point out the things that go wrong and things that make us miserable that is really DOES require effort to point out the things that are good. 

The pink puffy book stays on the counter. Always. If ever a moment should come along when I am tempted to pout, to rant and rave, to throw a spiritual temper tantrum - I walk into the kitchen, open the pages of the pink journal and force my perspective. I name something for which I am grateful. Often, once the first strokes of the ink pen glide across the paper - the flow continues. To my surprise I am no longer frustrated and bitter - but smiling. 

This is what Matthew Henry did. In the face of real-life pain, the loss of his coin - he tells God how grateful he is. He names GOOD things about a terrible situation.

Oh yes, let the PEACE of Jesus rule your hearts .... and be thankful. If one man in the 1600's can be thankful after being mugged ..... I think I can muster up a few Praises when things seem to hit the fan.