I Have Much to be Thankful for

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

for His steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 118:1

I love Thanksgiving.  For most of my life, it has been a celebration full of good food and extended family; the gateway to the Christmas season; a time to remember those first Pilgrims and Native Americans who celebrated Thanksgiving. 

This year I am overwhelmed by the things in my own life that I cannot help but be thankful for. I'm married now to the woman of my dreams, the one whom God has so carefully watched over and brought into my life to be my help-mate. We have only been married for a little less than six months, but it has been a time filled with joy and new experiences. I'm like a giddy four year old who is experiencing holidays again for the first time. Every new day, every holiday, every event is one of doubled joy because of the blessing of my wife. We have had our disagreements and I know that I lack in many ways, but the Lord has brought us together and we are both committed to Him above our own relationship. We know that a firm foundation is only found on Him. We will fall and we will sin and we will hurt each other, but Christ in us is sanctifying us that we might be better lovers of each other and lovers of Him.

I am a new student at Beeson Divinity School. I am so thankful for the faculty and staff there who have lived out what it looks like to be a Christian in a very personal and pastoral way. They have encouraged me and challenged me to become both a better thinker and student of God's Word and to deepen my relationship with Yahweh daily. Rarely have I seen such a delicate balance of intellect and compassion. For them I am truly thankful. Moreover, I have some of the best classmates. I know that I am quite introverted and can sometimes be socially awkward, but I'm learning from those I sit in classes with and learn with how to be a better friend. Thank you Lord for my wonderful school.

I am always thankful for my family. It is a different experience this year (as it is most holidays), waking up in a house that is not filled with the sound of dad's music in the morning or mom's welcoming "good morning." In fact, I am the early riser in my family (that is my new family). Every time I think of my parents, sister, grandparents, and even aunts and uncles, I am reminded of how blessed I am to have grown up among such people. 

While this is obviously not an exhaustive list, I cannot help but look at the list and feel the weight of all that God has done in my life even in the past year. I believe it is appropriate to close with thanks to God, who has orchestrated my life in such a way that I know that He is real and that He cares for even me. A quote from Abraham Lincoln that I saw yesterday seems to sum this up well.

"No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy."

Father, thank you for mercy...