"Thank you, Lord"

by Tracy Metivier

Psalm 119:11-12 “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.”

When my oldest son was three, he loved playing with trucks and trains. He carried them wherever we went in a small lunchbox, always prepared to play. He would spend hours looking them over, lining them up, counting them, and caring for them. They were dear friends to him.

It was a beautiful spring day. My infant daughter was sleeping in her crib. I was sitting outside enjoying the warmth. My son was quietly playing with his trucks in the sandbox. The front-end loader was clearing a path for the dump truck to drive through. There was a long line of cars waiting to pass by. Suddenly, one of the trucks got stuck in the mud. My son didn’t hesitate for a moment. He asked me to pray to God to help his truck get “unstuck”. I smiled and prayed for the stuck truck. A few moments later, his truck was free. I reminded him that we needed to thank God for answering our prayer. He silently folded his hands while we gave thanks. I chuckled to myself, thinking of what the Lord’s reaction must have been in hearing our prayer.

Moments later, the truck was stuck again. On his own, he folded his tiny little hands, closed his eyes and prayed, “Lord, please help me get my truck out of this dirt. Amen.” When it was free, he IMMEDIATELY said “Thank you Lord.”

I thought about the many times I’m “stuck” in a situation and cry out to the Lord for help. I also wondered, “How often do I remember to give thanks to Him for His answer?” Surely, when the answer is positive, I thank Him...right??? What about the times that it’s not the answer I expected? Or wanted? Hmmm...

I look back on that day and smile at the innocent faith of my three year old. It is a tender reminder to “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

I think I’ll go post this on my refrigerator so I don’t forget!


Tracy is a native New Englander who lives in Billerica, MA with her husband, Jon, and three children, Marc (11), Nicole (8) and Jacob (6). She loves to read (when she has time), attend her kids’ events, and spend time with her many extended family members.