Today we pause to give thanks. So, what am I thankful for? I am thankful for grandparents who raised their children in the church and who modeled lifestyles of service and worship. I am thankful for parents who continued to model the same lifestyle, and who raised my brothers and me in church. I am thankful for my children and my grandchildren, and I pray that I am continuing the legacy left by me parents and grandparents. I am thankful for my brothers and sister who pray for my children and me, and who encourage me, and even challenge me when I may post something questionable. I am thankful for my extended family, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and for their prayers and encouragement. I am thankful for faithful friends, who continue to stand by me, encourage me, and pray for me and with me. I am thankful for those churches I have had the privilege of visiting over the past seven months who are open and inviting to visitors, and for those brothers and sisters in Christ who, even though they don’t know me, have extended a hand or hug of friendship and fellowship.
I am thankful for those who have served and who are still serving our country in the military, be it active, reserve, or national guard. I am thankful for those who serve in public safety: police, fire and EMS, as well as the many medical professionals who are taking care of patients, even on a holiday.
Most of all, I am thankful for a God who loves us so much that He gave His only son. That Son gave up his own glory, and brought himself to down to our level and gave His own life to pay the required penalty for our sins so that we may have eternal life with Him. I am thankful for a Savior who not only accepts me as I am, but through the Holy Spirit, works in my life to change me into what He desires. A God, who even when I screw up, is there, arms outstretched, pleading and ready to take me back. Who, even when depression sets in is right there to remind me that I am His. When experiencing even the deepest of sorrows He gives the comfort of His Holy Spirit. Even when I have been ready to give up on myself, He never gives up on me. When the accuser brings up past sins and mistakes, my Heavenly Father says, “What sin? What mistakes? My child, I not only forgave them, I have forgotten them. The slate is clean. Your future is with me.”
For all this and so much more that I just don’t have words to express, thank you, Lord.
What are you thankful for today?