Giving Thanks 2010

I didn’t want to let today pass by without posting something on Thanksgiving.

As I reflected back on the past year, I’m amazed at everything God has done. A year ago today, I had gotten a job offer after having been unemployed for five months. And though there are times when I wonder what God was thinking when he got me this job, I’m still grateful for the opportunity and the struggle. Many invaluable life-lessons I have learned through the experiences.

I think so many times we grumble and complain because we don’t spend enough time (more time) being grateful! And so, maybe this post is more for me than anyone else, but I wanted to take the time to list some of the things I’m grateful to our Heavenly Father for:

• I’m grateful for my salvation.
• I’m grateful that in spite of my utter sinfulness, God still loves me (although I can’t figure out a single reason why).
• I’m grateful for my wonderful wife and the nine years she has put up with me. Love really does grow deeper as the years go by.
• I’m grateful for my two boys: my seventeen year old stepson and my soon-to-be three year old son.
• I’m grateful that my wife has been able to home-school my stepson for the past year. I do believe that it has saved his life.
• I’m grateful that I still have both of my parents and both of my parents-in-law.
• I’m grateful that our boys still have both sets of grandparents.
• I’m grateful that though the teen years have been trying, they could have been much, much worse.
• I’m grateful that God has provided for us the past five years so my wife doesn’t have to work outside the home.
• I’m grateful that we attend a strong, Bible-based church in our neighborhood.
• I’m grateful for the pastorate and leadership of our church.
• I’m grateful that God has lead me to an opportunity to serve His people using some of the gifts He has blessed me with.
• I’m grateful for the brothers and sisters-in-Christ that I’ve met, connected with, and serve with at our church.
• I’m grateful that although I’m much heavier than I should be, God has blessed me with good health. I know He’s working on me to make smarter dietary choices.
• I’m grateful that God has provided a house for us to live in, and for my wife who works hard to make it a home.
• I’m grateful that God has given me sons to teach me the ways that I grieve Him with my choices. He’s teaching me how to love unconditionally through them.
• I’m grateful that God hasn’t given up on me and isn’t through with me yet.

What about you? What are you grateful for?

May He Increase!