You perhaps have heard of and enjoyed events called “Christmas in July”. I remember them as a kid.

This month let's focus on being thankful.
So, how about THANKFUL IN MAY?
Let CHRISTMAS IN JULY follow.

Last month I reflected on our era when many countries, churches and communities are divided over issues large and small.So, is being thankful a reasonable paradigm?  We do have much to be thankful for.

What do you do or how do you feel when things don’t go right. What do you feel on a bad day?

Years ago when living in Ukraine we met a couple of young women who were there as missionaries from an organization that had a phrase I liked. It was, “go and stay”.  In a time of greater international travel mission assignments had changed from the David Livingston days of going to another country and investing your life sharing the gospel and not returning home often or never.

What we really liked was a phrase these women used the things did not go as planned. It was “for this LORD we prayed”.

They were there because of choices they had made and a pledge to God to serve him in a foreign missionary assignment. 

This leads me to consider this about prayer.
Do you pray for God’s leading in your life? 
If you do when things don’t go right you can take comfort in realizing this is what God has planned for you. 
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It helps to be thankful at all times. 
Even times when things don’t go the way you planned or even thought they would or should.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Col 4:2  
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
Col 3: 15
 
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,”
Hebrews 12:28

The first phase of the Ukrainian refugee crisis went well, so far. We are delighted that over 3 million mothers with children found refuge in Poland (7.8 % of the population of Poland).  To give you an idea, it's as if the US was flooded with 26 million mothers with children in just 2 months! About 700 thousand mothers with children found refuge in the Czech Republic and Slovakia (4.6 % of the population of Czechia and Slovakia), 850 thousand in Romania, etc. Over 10 million out of 40 million Ukrainians (25 %) have been displaced and 5.5 million (13 %) have left Ukraine. They were welcomed with open arms.

The government, individuals, churches, and the immigration authorities quickly organized lodging, health insurance, placing children in schools, and helped especially those qualified to find employment as assistants and aides in hospitals, nursing homes, and factories. The solidarity with refugees is unprecedented. All 6 small churches we work with care for about 60 Ukrainian mothers and children.

Phase two, integration of refugees, is on a good track as well. It is interesting how quickly we are brushing up on the basics of Russian, Polish, and Slovak languages. We hardly need any help with translation. Slavic linguistic similarity is a great help.

Phase three pertains to the future. For now, many mothers and children are safe. Their husbands, sons, and fathers (all men from 18 to 60 are not allowed to leave, except fathers of 3+ children) are putting their lives on the line to defend the independence of Ukraine. Most refugees have families back home, many have nowhere to return to. When and if this war will end remains a question.