Padiham Memorial Park: Giving Thanks Always

In Padiham’s Memorial Park, which was dedicated in 1921 to the men of the town who fell in the Great War, is located a fountain, now unused, upon which is the golden inscription ‘Giving thanks always for all things’ (Ephesians 5:20). Some might object to its location- it’s hard to give thanks for so much loss, so many empty seats around the Sunday roast. I was well brought-up; I was told to say please and thank you. Yet why should we give thanks always and for all things when some things and some times are just plain rotten? 

The child of God, into whose hand he places his own, knows that life’s unpleasant circumstances and obstacles are merely platforms upon which God demonstrates His love towards us and His grace in us. Though we cannot see the reason why, we know that God uses all things, working together for good to those who love Him. One day we shall know why. In the meantime, a faith deeper, richer and more mature can thank Him now, ahead of any understanding or explanation.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1