Wife & Kids

Well, here is my list!

I am thankful for:

• The God of the universe who cared enough about me to send Jesus to die for me….will I ever be able to comprehend it?
• The perfect mate for me…My wife is an incredible partner and an absolute mother of the year every year.
• Three children who are healthy and already have a love for the Lord that goes beyond what a parent could hope for.
• A place to work where I get to see lives changed.  It is my job, but I don’t look at that way…It is the incredible ministry that God has given me….I get to see children learn about Jesus week to week.
• A brother and a sister who, although they have seen their share of difficulties in life, choose to follow Christ.
• A legacy left by my mother and father…a legacy that says…put your trust in God and love Him and your family with everything you have.
• Friends who encourage me, build me up, and teach me how to be a friend.

Thanksgiving…wow!  My oldest son, John, has started college this semester.  It brings back a flood of memories about my college days, but mostly it reminds me of my first Thanksgiving after starting college.  I had been going to Liberty University and was able to fly home for Thanksgiving (someone from my home church in Texas had paid my way).

That year at the Thanksgiving table is one I will never forget. WHY? Because there was an empty place at the table that year.  My dad was not with us that year.  He had just passed away on Oct 30th and Thanksgiving and Christmas for me would never be the same.  With that on my mind, I couldn’t help but think of my son and his first Thanksgiving as a college student.  All five of us will be together this year–what a blessing!

Look around the table today…is someone missing?  If they are, no matter where they are, across the country with their in-laws, maybe in another country as missionaries, or maybe in heaven.  Don’t forget to thank God for the relationships that he has given you.  Even if those relationships are a little bit soured or troubled…Use this time to begin a healing process of restoring those relationships.  I seriously don’t see how you could ever regret trying to heal a hurt or forgive someone in your family who you feel has wronged you.  Everyone knows that family issues can be the hardest ones to fix….but try…

Thank God for whoever is sitting at your Thanksgiving table this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

John