My Thankfulness List

Thanksgiving is an annual opportunity for all of us to focus on the things in our lives we are thankful for. We take a break from our normal routines to spend time with people we care about and be grateful for what we have. I always enjoy this brief respite from the hectic day-to-day pace and find myself thinking on those things I am most appreciative of:

• A heavenly Father who has seen me at my best & my worst and still loves me
• My wife who completes me in so many ways. She is my best friend, lover, and confidant. 
• Three uniquely wonderful daughters who constantly challenge me in new ways.
• New perspectives on life revealed by wise people around me and a gracious God.
• Being able to live out my calling in life as part of a thriving church and church staff. I don't take this for granted as I know of other pastors who aren't this blessed.
• Mentors throughout the years who have taken the risk of investing in me. They were willing to persevere even when I didn't receive their counsel well.
• Good long-time friends who are important in my life even if we don't talk that often. I know they are always there and hope they know that about me as well.
• Newer friends who encourage me, listen to me, drink coffee with me, help me in times of need, and laugh with me.
• A vision and passion for the future. I don't have all of the steps lined up for what is coming, but God continues to give me glimpses of where He is leading us.

Even a small list of gratitude reminds me of the gifts I have in this life. 

Big Things, Small Package

Small objects may not seem like much to some people, but that is usually because they don't understand what they represent. The necklace pictured above probably is only slightly interesting or relevant to an outside observer. To the one that it has been given, however, it represents so much more. 

I received this last week on the reservation from a young lady we spent a couple of days with. She quietly gave it to me as a token of her appreciation for a few days with our team. It was handcrafted and symbolizes the hope she is seeking and the brief light we were able to shine in her life as she struggles with so much darkness. It reflects the happiness we shared with her during our visit--a happiness she said she hadn't felt in several months. It is a gift shyly and generously given out of the overflow of a heart that felt loved and valued by every one of our team. 

This is a present that I will not soon forget. Even though it is small, it is packed with more meaning than can accurately be described.

Giving Thanks

It might seem somewhat cliche to post the things that I am thankful for, but it's an important practice in gratitude for me. I thoroughly enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and it's a good reminder for me to ponder the things that I am truly thankful for.

• Nearly 20 years of marriage to my incredible wife. She's far better than I deserve.
• Three beautiful, kind-hearted daughters that challenge, encourage, and love me
• A warm, love-filled home
• Family that loves me through miles apart & my own shortcomings
• Grace, grace, and more grace.
• Being part of a church that is intent on changing the community we live in
• The contentment of living out my life's calling
• Friends & mentors who continue to invest in my life
• Being part of a staff that genuinely loves Jesus
• Knowing that I'm not the man that I used to be
• Confidence in knowing God isn't done making me into the man I need to be.

Fullness

I am fortunate to be able to have a full day of ministry and reminders of the power of my calling. While the pace may be hectic, the rewards are plentiful even in complicated circumstances. I'm thankful that today had many different things that continue to affirm God's work around me. It wouldn't be possible to list every detail, but there were some events that stand out. 

• Sitting with my family in worship
• Encouraging words from a faithful Christ-follower
• Having chances to pray with people
• Baptizing a young girl whose family has set an excellent example for her
• A full room of people excited about being part of the church
• Seeing several people ready to take the next step in their spiritual journey
• Working hard with a group to bless families with Thanksgiving meals
• Spending the evening with an awesome group of high school youth & being reminded of the good old days of youth ministry 
• A phenomenal meal with my wife and the comfort of each other's company

Thankful Thoughts

It's not Thanksgiving, but I found myself thinking about the things in my life that I am grateful for today. I started to post a brief comment about it via social media, but felt that my gratitude would be better expressed in blog form. It's not a comprehensive list, but hopefully it reflects a few of the things I am grateful for today.

• A day off to replenish my energy reserves
• A stack of books I am excited to read
• The opportunity to preach this Sunday
• Having the windows open while cool breezes blow through the house
• Better physical health
• Being madly in love with the woman who has my heart
• Three maturing young daughters who also have my heart
• Connecting with people over coffee
• Confidence in knowing that I am a work in a progress that is heading in the right direction
• Looking forward to a good dinner
• Grace that redeems my past and offers a better future
• Having my mind stimulated by new ways of thinking
• The love of a faithful dog
• Grace-have I mentioned how thankful I am for this?

Attitude of Gratitude

I co-taught with a good friend at Mainland High School who would use the phrase, "Attitude of Gratitude" when he was talking about a thankful lifestyle. It truly should be more than just periodic gratefulness for this blessed life that we get to lead, but in honor of the calendar I thought I would carve out (no pun intended) a blog showing appreciation for my own blessings.

• Salvation-knowing that I am not condemned to a life of sin
• A God that loves me for me-in spite of my numerous faults, failings, and flaws
• My wife-there is no way to adequately appreciate her in a few words here, but to know that this gorgeous woman has my heart and I have hers is mind-blowing
• Three beautiful, intelligent, and caring daughters-they amaze me in so many different ways and I can't believe I have anything to do with how incredible they are
• My family-a special place in my heart reserved for my mom and how she has influenced me, my brothers & sisters and extended family, my stepfather and his love for family, my grandparents who continue to influence my life even though they are no longer with us
• Friends that stick with you-from childhood friends that I still communicate with, my Mainland family (Buc Pride Never Dies!), new found friendships that continue to develop, and those you weather the storms of life with and come out together on the other side
• My calling to be a pastor-working through tough periods of refinement and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to make the best/most impact for the Kingdom
• Teaching God's Word-working right in the middle of my gifting and feeling alive as God opens that Word up to others through it
• Second chances-being given an opportunity by a boss & friend to do things over
• Simple pleasures-a good book, a strong cup of coffee, playing guitar while my children sing along, holding my wife's hand, watching a sunrise & sunset, enjoying good Chinese food with friends & co-workers, making my children laugh, daddy/daughter breakfasts, a big bear hug, early morning prayers
• Physical blessings-a beautiful home (and generous friends!), a meal prepared in love, clothes to wear, and health
• This journey of life-not often easy, but knowing that this is where & when God has placed my family to grow together with others makes me thankful that He is in charge and I am not.

Thankful

Obviously I am few days late for an actual Thanksgiving posting, but in the spirit of the weekend I want to list a few things that I am grateful for.

• My wife-beautiful, intelligent, God-loving, creative, passionate and puts up with me. 'Nuff said.
• Three special daughters who are beautifully & uniquely made. I treasure the time we have with them at this age & look forward to what God is going to do in their lives.
• A loving family that has always been supportive of me & has had a bigger influence on me than even I realize.
• A supportive, encouraging & challenging staff to work with as we seek God's will for His church here.
• A lead pastor that is willing to take a chance on me & my family and be patient as God refines us.
• Northridge Christian Church-a place that opened up their arms to us and has made us feel welcome and a vital part of what God is doing.
• Mercies that are new every morning.
• The simplicity of shared times with family over the holidays.
• New horizons & challenges in ministry.
• Being comfortable with who I am as God continues to reshape & mold me.
• Friends that are serving God in different states-all of us working towards the same goal even if we are in different zip codes.
• Friendships that have not changed even though our address has.
• A Savior who is jealous for me and loves me more than I can even begin to comprehend.

Thankful

Not my normal nature to be cliche, but here is the list of things I am thankful for:

• A God that loves me in spite of my many faults & wants me to be with Him
• My best friend & wife-my life wouldn't be the same without her beside me
• Three incredibly beautiful & gifted daughters-my heart fills with love every time I think of them
• A family (mom, step-father, sisters, brothers, in-laws) who simply love me for me
• Northridge Christian Church accepting us so quickly and pushing forward together as a team to reach the lost in Milledgeville
• Friends from Florida that still love us across the miles & regardless of recent circumstances
• A beautiful home to help ease the transition to a new life
• Fond memories of family that are no longer with us-grandparents & parents that have helped to shape me into who I am today
• A God that promises not to waste any hurts that we have experienced, but to instead turn it into something powerful for Him
• Good food to celebrate a day of thanks