Thank You, I Think?

          Matt was only 4 years old when he began a philosophical struggle with a good God allowing bad things in the world.  This angst was reflected in his nightly prayers.  For about a week, he sorted through conflicts in his little heart as he prayed. 
          The progression of these nightly prayers began like this:  "Father, thank you for all the things you made.  I really like all the things you made, but I don't like the lions when they eat people, but I like all the things you made. Amen"
          He was being very careful not to insult or accuse God, but he did need to point out to God that he did not find himself living in a perfect world.  This theme in his prayers continued:
          "Father, I really like all the things you made.  Thank you for all the things you made.  But I don't like the devil.  But I know you made him good and he just got bad.  But I like all the things you made.  Amen"
          There were other prayers in the same vein:  "I don't like it when people are mean to eachother."  "I don't like it when people get hurt."
          On the final night he brought this type of concern to God, he seemed to have worked it all out in his little mind.  He must have found peace, at last, because (to my knowledge) he never returned to this qualified thankfulness again.  Here's what he told God:
          "Father, thank you for all the things you made.  I really like all the things you made.  But I don't like the sharks when they eat people, but I wish they'd eat the devil!  Amen."

"...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
                                                                                                      (I Thessalonians 5:18)