Our car was stuck on a snowy mountainside, and only three feet away, there was nothing but thin air!

Snow is rare in the Southeastern part of the country where we live, so one January, we traveled to the mountains of North Carolina to visit relatives and enjoy the forecasted snowfall. Soon after we arrived at Wayne and Cindy’s home, the snow began falling, transforming everything into a beautiful winter landscape.

Later that weekend, they drove us up a nearby mountain so we could see the breathtaking, snow-covered scenery. About halfway up, the right rear tire suddenly lost traction and began spinning. The car would not move. As we looked around, we realized how serious the situation was. The car was perched on the side of the mountain, and just three feet away, the ground dropped off sharply.

Wayne tried several times to free the car, but nothing worked. Finally, he got back into the driver’s seat and said, “Let’s pray.” He and Cindy turned around and joined hands with us in the back seat.

I will never forget how Wayne began that prayer.

“Father, we thank You for another opportunity to come to You in prayer.”

As he continued praying aloud, I silently—but fervently—asked God to send an angel to help us.

When Wayne finished praying, he calmly put the car in gear. To our amazement, the car moved forward easily, as if we were driving on dry pavement. For several minutes, no one spoke. The car was filled with silence and awe as we realized how God had miraculously delivered us from a dangerous situation.

Many years later, I shared that story with my nine-year-old great-granddaughter, Hallie. I told her the lesson that has stayed with me all these years, how Wayne’s posture of gratitude left a lasting impression. In that frightening moment, Wayne’s first instinct wasn’t to ask for help—it was to give thanks. Even in a crisis, he saw it as another opportunity to come before God in prayer.

That experience gave me a deeper understanding of 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

God is pleased when we maintain a thankful heart, no matter the situation.

And, as Paul Harvey used to say, “Here’s the rest of the story.”

A few days after telling Hallie about this experience, an unexpected and urgent need arose in our family. Most of us were together on a Sunday afternoon when we received the news.

Hallie immediately said, “We need to pray.”

I suggested that she begin. She started her prayer by thanking God for His goodness and for everything He does for us. Then she prayed about the need.

I was deeply touched that she began with thanksgiving before bringing our request to the Lord. I told her that her prayer reminded me of the story I had shared about having thankful hearts in every situation.

She smiled and replied, “I know—that’s why I started my prayer that way. Because you told me that story.”

Children often absorb spiritual lessons more quickly than we realize. Like sponges, they soak in what they see and hear—and then live it out.
In the days that followed our family’s prayers of both thanksgiving and supplication, we witnessed yet another miracle from our loving Heavenly Father as He “exceedingly and abundantly” answered our prayers and met the need we had brought before Him (Ephesians 3:20-21).

God is honored when we come to Him with grateful hearts—even before we see the answer. A thankful heart recognizes that every circumstance—good or difficult—is another opportunity to come before God. Gratitude shifts our focus from fear to faith and reminds us that our Heavenly Father is always at work.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your goodness and faithfulness in every circumstance. Teach me to approach You with a grateful heart, trusting that You are present and working even before I see the answer. Help me remember to give thanks in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.