Giving Thanks

I know it is extremely cliche, but seeing that this week is Thanksgiving, I want to remember those thing for which I am thankful.

• I am thankful for my family. I have four terrific children and a fabulous wife. I do not claim to be a parenting expert, but somehow my kids have turned out to be pretty good people. They do well in school, they are polite, they are talented and are just plain fun to be around. Even better, I seem to have hit the spousal lottery. I am married to a wonderful woman who constantly does all the little things that get taken for granted and add up to a thankless job. I usually notice, but I often fail to acknowledge.
• I'm grateful for my extended family. I have parents who love me and still show it. I'm proud to be a brother to my siblings who are great people with great families. I have been welcomed in to Dawn's family, and they show it too. I'm thankful that within all the extended families, there are no broken homes, and the bond of family remains strong.
• I am thankful that I have a home. It's getting older and slowly falling apart, but it beats living in a cramped apartment or under a bridge.
• I'm glad I have a job. There is an element of ennui after 15 years of service, but I have a regular income that pays the bills (almost).
• I am thankful for my church. The one hobby I have maintained into adulthood is my music, and the church orchestra gives me a chance to use that ability to worship. I'm glad our pastor & elders look to the Bible as the last word on church policy and sermon content. It's been said from our stage many times that the Word presented correctly will offend, but they don't make any apologies for it. Mike regularly offends many in his audience and I think that's great.
• I am thankful for a God who forgives. Everyone has a weak point of sin that beguiles us time after time. I am no different, and I am grateful that I can be forgiven when I stumble.
• I am thankful that I was fortunate enough to be born in this country. While the atmosphere may be hostile from time to time regarding Christians, it has not yet become dangerous to be one. We still have the freedom to worship.

There are so many things in my life that I take for granted, whether it's material or relational, or spiritual. This list may be cliche, but it's a good reminder to me, at least, that I have much to be thankful for, and many to be thankful toward.