Thankful

I am thankful.

That I am reasonably healthy. That I can work for a living and have a job that allows me to provide what I have. That I can complain when I feel like things aren’t going my way although I know complaining makes me look petty and small.

I am thankful.

That my wife loves me in spite of my own stupidity, arrogance and pride. That my wife is pretty and smart, prettier and smarter than I deserve. That my wife challenges me to love her as deeply and strongly as she loves me.

I am thankful.

That I have family who put up with me enough to think I’m an okay guy. That my family cares for one another more than words can even begin to describe. That I have family whose laughter is as warm and genuine as the hugs we share.

I am thankful.

That I have more than enough to eat. That I have clothes on my back. That I have shoes on my feet. That I have a roof over my head. That I have a couple of automobiles to get around in. That I have more "things" than I really know what to do with.

I am thankful.

That I have a spiritual family of people who are like me, broken, damaged, imperfect but redeemed by the life and blood of Jesus Christ. That this body of believers reaches out to each other and beyond it’s own doors to the community where it resides and out into the world. That these people are examples of dignity and love in a world that increasingly believes what we cling to is outdated, old-fashioned, not nuanced enough and just plain stupid.

I am thankful.

That I live in the greatest country in the world. That braver men and women than I have fought and do fight for the freedoms we have, even for the freedom some may have to disparage and malign those who do serve in the military. That even in our country's tough times, our nation is still blessed beyond what we should expect.

I am thankful.

That God loves me when I am unlovable. That God loves me in spite of my failings. That His love sent His Son to be in my place.

I am thankful.

For Cherry Coke. For iced coffee. For Sweet Tarts. For shrimp chimichangas. For reading glasses. For our cat, Daisy. For long Sunday afternoon naps. For quiet Saturday mornings as the sun rises on our street. For good memories. For mistakes where I learned something. For all the little things that make me smile, laugh, question and consider who I am, where I am and what I am doing.

I am thankful.

For the life I have lived, am living and plan on living.

Happy Thanksgiving.