Catching Up From Thanksgiving

I guess I'm continuing my trend of posting updates.  I'm almost caught up at this point.  This is my Thanksgiving Day post.

When I initially thought about writing a Thanksgiving post I was a bit worried about the content.  I was worried that I would be unable to find enough items to fill a post.  Of course that was narrow thinking.  I too am guilty of putting on my "The World Is Against Me" glasses from time to time.  I'm so glad that my wife pulled out our "Thanksgiving Journal" again this year.  It is amazing how the simple act of finding one thing to be thankful for can suddenly generate a storm of gratitude.

I am thankful for so many great things this year and so many smaller things.  I am thankful

• God sending his Son Jesus the Christ to die for my sins, and those of the world
• God's forgiveness, strength, light and Holy Word
• My wife who faithfully loves and supports our family, especially me
• My children who love and challenge me to be a better, less selfish person
• My mom and dad who love on me all the time
• My wife for fixing one heck of a pre-Thanksgiving dinner
• My mom and dad who give so much to each one of the members of my family
• My dad for treating my kids to dinner
• My mom for treating my kids to "Grandma Camp"
• My siblings who are simply awesome in so many ways
• My sisters for being impromptu babysitters and baby holders
• My oldest daughters for pitching in when asked
• My youngest daughters for providing non-stop laughter and memories for a lifetime
• My friends at church for helping me grow in faith and be accountable
• My friends at work for helping me stay focused and sane
• My friends from basketball for giving me a good work out and great fellowship
• My wife for keeping me encouraged and keeping me grounded
• My cousins for calling and checking in on me and dropping by for a visit

I am thankful for the success that my family and friends have achieved.  I am thankful for good report cards, and the ability to go to school.  I am thankful for the gifts of my children and the gifts of my spouse.  I am thankful for the talents that God has given each of us and the strength and desire he has given us to use them.

I am thankful for:

• The home we live in
• The cars that have taken us to the places we need to go
• Good health and relatively good health
• The neighborhood we live in 
• The president and the elected official who work on our behalf
• The police and military who provide us with so many freedoms
• The employer that gives me a job and the training to do my job

I am even thankful for the growth that happened this year through the many trials.  I'm not saying I'm glad I went through these things, but I am thankful for the fruit and maturity that has resulted.  I am thankful for each day I have been able to get out of bed and do something for someone.  I am thankful for each day that someone has gotten out of their bed and done something for me.  I am thankful for the birthday gifts my wife gave me, the Father's Day gifts the family gave me, the Anniversary date my wife and I shared, and the joy that life together has brought to us.

I am also very thankful for the appreciation, love, care and attention of so many of my family and friends.  I hope that in some way I have been a blessing in the life of others.  I hope that someone will one day list me as someone they are thankful for, just as I am so thankful for so many people in my life.

God of all, thank you for what you have given and what you have withheld.  I pray your love and kindness create in me a deeper and stronger sense of gratitude for all that you have given to me.  Amen.