Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

The boy was little when his mother passed away. Along with his grief, the father had to deal with the overwhelming task of trying to be both father and mother to his son. To that end, dad planned a picnic. The day before the event, father and son together picked their destination, packed the lunch, and loaded the car.

Then, before getting an early start, it was time for a good night's sleep.

Easier said than done.

The boy couldn't sleep. Excitement kept him tossing and twisting as only a little boy can. Eventually, he got up, crept into dad's room, and waited until father's sleepy eyes opened.

"Son, what are you doing up at this hour?"

"I can't get to sleep."

"Why can't you get to sleep?"

"Daddy, I can't wait for tomorrow."

"Son, we're going to have a great time. But it won't be nearly as great if you don't get some sleep first. Just go back to bed and try to turn off your mind. You'll fall asleep."

The son did as dad suggested. But within 10 minutes the father felt himself being prodded and poked.

"Dad, dad, are you awake?"

"I am now, son."

"Dad, I wanted to say something before I go to sleep."

"And what did you need to say that won't wait?"

"Dad, I just wanted to say thank you for tomorrow."

I like that story. I like that boy. I like his thought: "Dad, I just wanted to thank you for tomorrow." I like it, but I wonder how many of us are ready to say, "Heavenly Father, thank You for tomorrow."

Think about it for a moment. Most of us are fearful of today and dreading what the rest of the week might bring. Maybe that's why many people prefer to look backward and reminisce about "the good old days." We long for the good old days when no one ever asked where the car keys were because they were always in the ignition, and the church doors were never locked. The truth is, with our selective memories, we only remember the good things from the good old days.

Now none of us knows what tomorrow will hold, but most of us act like tomorrow won't be very good.

The only people who are exceptions to that rule are children. Children can't wait for tomorrow. Maybe that's part of what Jesus meant when He said we should have the faith of a little child. Maybe He wanted us to put our faith in Him and His constant companionship through all of our tomorrows.

Having seen Jesus' birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection, we ought to trust Him and His ongoing presence in our lives.

If we do, we may find ourselves ready to pray, "Father, thank You for tomorrow."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may surrender my life, along with all my tomorrows, into Your hands. Reach out and touch all those souls who think they are on their own. Turn them to You and their ever-living Savior, Jesus. It is in His Name we have prayed. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Chronicles 23-25    1 Corinthians 14:21-40

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