A Few Reasons I Am Thankful

This being the season to think about and render thanksgiving, I considered that for which I am most thankful. Certainly, space will not permit me to list all of those things that lead me to give thanks, but these are surely worth sharing. I hope that even in the middle of difficult times, we all consider how much for which we have reason to be thankful.

I am thankful for being a Christian with the knowledge that God is much better at providing purpose and meaning to my life. Every time I try to do his job, failure results. It is good to know that He is a God that gives His love in spite of us and not because of us.

I am thankful for a family that remains supportive while I sometimes demonstrate my innate ability to be fallible. Often when mouth goes before reason, it is good to have a family that provides opportunity to repent without having to worry about "friendly fire". I cannot give enough thanks for the love of my family, their honesty as well as their support through the most difficult days. The love of my children inspires my life.

I am thankful for the loyal members of our church who give me an opportunity to share the gospel and encouragement of Christ with them. The temptation for ministers is to take for granted the people who faithfully attend and support our ministries day after day and week after week. Without their spiritual, financial and other contributions, we would find difficulty in being successful.

I am thankful for the sacrifice of those who gave their lives to secure our liberty. My ancestors, as well as our nation's military veterans provide broad shoulders on which we all stand. Enough said.

I am thankful that I live in a country that is mature enough to discard color, race and ethnicity as prerequisites for success, despite being a work in progress. America demonstrated her greatness and grace to the world in the election of a person of color, Senator Barack Obama, as her next president. I pray that we have finally turned the corner from "Race Boulevard" to the "Freeway of Equality". My country is growing up and I am thankful that my children witness her maturation.

I am thankful that freedom of speech and the opportunity for healthy and constructive dissent still remains one of those "unalienable" rights guaranteed all Americans by our Constitution. If we were to lose this right, our government by the people, of the people and for the people would lose its place as an example of democracy to the rest of the world. This freedom does not exist on some existential plain, but is real and available to every citizen. Freedom of speech must remain so to avoid undermining basic liberty.

I am thankful that I live in a community with a few moronic behavioral exceptions, in which most people are still good. Yes, there are those whose behavior sets the standard for disgusting and criminal, but I believe with all of my heart in the basic morality of humanity. I hope never to reach the place of the cynic, for my blood pressure remains much more stable with the belief that most are desire good. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we all have elements within that reflect our Creator.

Finally, I am thankful for you our readers. Without your comments, positive or negative, personal and professional growth would be difficult at best.

Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.