Murphy’s Law
A devotional by Gail Kittleson
When things fail to proceed as we think they should, we often cite Murphy’s Law: “What can go wrong, will.” This saying originated at Edwards Air Force Base in 1949, where engineers often had to resort to trial and error in their forward progress.
We use it all the time, usually scratching our heads at the same moment we say the words. But Thanksgiving is all about those times when Murphy’s Law did not apply. We look back over the year behind us, noting all the blessings that came through to us, in spite of our errors, miscalculations, and poor judgment.
Those times when we looked out in the morning to a glorious sunrise and lifted our hearts in praise to the Creator of all. Perhaps in that instant, we sensed the Almighty very near. That non-Murphy’s Law moment signified the beginning of a day we’d walk through life expecting good things, and put our best foot forward. Just a simple dot in the stretch of time we call a day—that twenty-four hour period when we’re given an opportunity to make a difference.
And we might recall another time when someone patted us on the back and told us that we did make a difference in their lives. That caused us to give thanks—being purposeful is what we all long for—to know that our choices and actions and attitudes matter to someone.
One man who lived a long, long time ago, before Murphy’s Law had been coined, had learned to praise and thank God no matter what. When Habakkuk could see no encouraging signs around him, he still vowed to praise God.
When things fail to proceed as we think they should, we often cite Murphy’s Law: “What can go wrong, will.” This saying originated at Edwards Air Force Base in 1949, where engineers often had to resort to trial and error in their forward progress.
We use it all the time, usually scratching our heads at the same moment we say the words. But Thanksgiving is all about those times when Murphy’s Law did not apply. We look back over the year behind us, noting all the blessings that came through to us, in spite of our errors, miscalculations, and poor judgment.
Those times when we looked out in the morning to a glorious sunrise and lifted our hearts in praise to the Creator of all. Perhaps in that instant, we sensed the Almighty very near. That non-Murphy’s Law moment signified the beginning of a day we’d walk through life expecting good things, and put our best foot forward. Just a simple dot in the stretch of time we call a day—that twenty-four hour period when we’re given an opportunity to make a difference.
And we might recall another time when someone patted us on the back and told us that we did make a difference in their lives. That caused us to give thanks—being purposeful is what we all long for—to know that our choices and actions and attitudes matter to someone.
One man who lived a long, long time ago, before Murphy’s Law had been coined, had learned to praise and thank God no matter what. When Habakkuk could see no encouraging signs around him, he still vowed to praise God.
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV)
When President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863, his nation was torn by a brutal war that pitted citizen against citizen. On every side, he could have focused on signs of despair. And yet, he called the United States of America to give thanks.
With these examples in mind, oh Lord, fill our hearts with gratitude for all the good we have experienced in 2018.
~*~
Author Bio:
When Gail Kittleson's not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit of her 1940’s novels, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors.
She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.
Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.
She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.
Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.
What a timely and profound message! Hearing how others before us handled division, strife, and uncertainty is comforting and reminds us God is with us all.
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