Blessed and Thankful

Most of the time when you greet someone and ask him or her how he or she are doing you will get back from them the standard, “I’m fine”. Some have begun to copy the Dave Ramsey reply, which is, “better than I deserve” or something similar. I have an acquaintance, which I see from time to time when I am shopping at Market Street that has an excellent reply to the standard question, when I see him and ask how he is doing his reply is always, “I am blessed and thankful”.

I am blessed and thankful. What a wonderful summary of life for anyone who is living as one of God’s children. As I sit here this morning while the sun is rising on another day it is cloudy in North Texas and even though I cannot see the sun I know that it is there. Not too long ago this morning there was darkness, but now there is light and I can see all that was hidden in the darkness the trees, flowers and my neighbors dog which barks all night. The sun has illuminated all that was in the darkness and another day has begun.

The sun has signaled the beginning of another day, but the Son has given the day to me. The sun has given me light for the day, but the Son has brought me out of the darkness into the light so that I may walk with him this day. The Son makes all things possible. The Son is the giver of all good and perfect gifts. Even though I cannot see the Son, I know He is there. The Son makes it possible for me to say on this new day that I too am “Blessed and Thankful!”

I have had a wonderful life. I was raised by two loving and amazing parents who still bless my life with love and joy and acceptance. My parents introduced me to a life of faithfulness and they showed me how to live a life pleasing the Son and the Father. I am blessed and thankful.

I have an amazing wife who loves me unconditionally and she has shared with me a life full of joy, kindness and laughter (and an occasional chocolate pie). She has given me three wonderful children who have filled my life with love, adventure, laughter and wonder. I have in-laws who love me like I was their own son. They have been a constant source of loving support and acceptance. I am blessed and thankful.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea my life is full of blessings and for that I am thankful. I know that this is Thanksgiving week and each of us is taking time to reflect on how thankful we are for what God has blessed us with in life. I just want to encourage you to live a life of thankfulness daily. Those who have been saved by the grace of God should begin each day with a heart of gratitude being thankful for all the Father has provided. I want to encourage you to begin and end each day with the acknowledgment that you are “blessed and thankful”.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love God. Go Love Others.