Thankful

Thanks. We say it as much out of habit as we do out of real sincerity most of the time. We tell a waitress thanks for a refill of hot, black coffee, or for someone holding the door for us, but how thankful are we really? It seems like, at least at times, that we are always striving for more; More time, more money, more stuff, more friends, and whatever else. In reality, much of what we are striving for is trivial and at its root betrays the fact that we are not content with or thankful for what we do have. So, with that in mind and since this is really an exercise in me learning to be content and more thankful for what I have, here goes...

I'm thankful for the life I have been privileged to have. I grew up in a Christian home with parents that loved and cared for my best. They were not perfect, none are, but through it all, I know they provided for me, taught me, and raised me to adulthood the best way they knew how at the time. We were given the tools to learn, work, and grow to be adults who are all parents now ourselves.

Which brings me to my own children. I am so thankful for my children. Our youngest is a daughter who loves, and laughs, is a friend to virtually everyone she meets, and is godly. She is talented in many ways and though she tries to he tough and independent, I can honestly say I am thankful she still calls when she needs my help or, sometimes, just to hear my voice. She is kind and compassionate to people and though she may actually have my temper, she controls it much better than I. I'm thankful for that, for her sake.

I have another daughter who just might be one of the smartest people I know. She is also one of the most tender hearted people I know. Her sacrifices to be a mother, wife, and a friend, even when her friendship is taken for granted and abused by others is an inspiration. She is a minister/servant at heart and proves it every time she reaches out to one of the "least of these" the Bible talks about. She has battled health problems all her life but is much stronger than many give her credit for, even more than she knows herself. Her husband loves her and I am thankful for a son-in-law who loves her and whom she loves in return. He has proven to be a great daddy to our grandkids and always makes them feel like their lives are an adventure.

I am thankful for the little ones and others to come because they are more special to me every day. The loss of our little granddaughter with no chance to really have her for any time at all, makes me appreciate every minute we have with them. The look on their faces when they see us for the first time after a long trip is priceless. When they beg to come to Pa and Darlin's house it is like water for thirst, food for hunger, and currency in the bank. My heart swells when they crawl up in my lap for no real reason except to be there. Sometimes it's just for a fleeting moment and then they are off again to conquer bad guys, 'cause you know, they think they are Super Heroes. They will be wonderful little boys and fine young men someday. I know they will. I am thankful for that.

I am also thankful that eighteen years ago we adopted a little boy from Brazil, and though it has been hard and not turned out as we planned, I am still thankful, because he is alive, well, and has grown to be a man. Three things that would have never been true had he been left on the streets of that place. He is in the hands of God and I am thankful that God is big enough to carry all who cannot carry themselves. Most if not all of us are there, have been there once, or will be there at some point and it takes His hands and sovereign grace to get us through to the other side. I'm thankful for that.

I'm thankful for the opportunity God has given us for over twenty years to reach out to places no one else will go and meet people almost no one else cares about and see that same sovereign God change their lives. I am thankful that at times when I felt like I didn't have a friend in the world, there one came out of the blue to encourage and lift us up.

I am thankful for those who have passed on before me that I was privileged to know, if only for a while. Many of them have taught me the lessons I've learned that I'm talking about right this minute and made me the man I am, good or bad, better or worse.

I'm thankful most of all for the woman God gave me to travel this journey with. In a world where marriage is thrown away by some like a sweater that needs repair but we are to lazy to fix and keep, and where marriage can mean almost anything you want, it is good to have someone to whom it means what it is supposed to mean. A man and a woman loving each other for life in God's plan. For better or worse. We have fought the good fight and run the race for thirty years and I don't mean we've fought for thirty years. I mean God molded our callings together to be one. I follow her example more than she does mine by loving people where we find them whatever that means.

That makes life hard sometimes. It means that, at times, we will be misunderstood. It means we may be judged harshly for our associations by those without compassion for broken people. But Jesus had compassion on broken people so we are commanded to as well. We have done just that, together. I am thankful for a savior that loves us broken and all. Thankful He would care enough about a simple little preacher's kid that would have been happy being a nobody on a horse on a ranch in some far off place. But He had something much greater in mind. No, not great by the world's standard. Most of the world would still see me as a nobody on a horse in some far off place. But this nobody is on that horse alongside a friend who encouraged me 25 years ago and encourages me now. Time and circumstances have allowed me to be the one encouraging him a little as well. Where there was a time I didn't have a friend in the world, I now have friends everywhere I go who believe in and support us in this grand calling. This "nobody"might just be on a horse alongside some people who are broken. But that's okay. I know who loves them and He can fix broken people. I know how to lead them to Him. That's a lot to be thankful for.