I believe I saw Christmas decorations in at least one store as early as September. In October, many retailers had Halloween decorations on one aisle and Christmas decorations on another. I have been in several stores this week and people are just now—JUST NOW—wishing me “Happy Thanksgiving.” I was tempted last week to tell Starbucks that my name was “Happy Thanksgiving” …
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, not because of the food or football (both of which I will partake with gratitude); it is because it is a deliberate day set apart to fulfill something that is one of my core values and keystone habits: gratitude.
I typically don’t participate in things going around Facebook, but favorite daughter tagged me about 14 months ago on a challenge to list 10 things for which I am thankful. I shared them on Facebook at her request and I share them again now in celebration of Thanksgiving. They are not in order of importance, but in the order I thought of them.
10. I am thankful for the forgiving grace of God when I’ve made bad choices.
9. I am thankful for the protective grace of God that has kept me from making many more bad choices.
8. I am thankful for the amazing love that God extended to bring me to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ.
7. I am thankful for the undeserved love of a godly woman who is beautiful inside and out and for the amazing privilege of being married to her for 31 years and counting.
6. I am thankful for two wonderful grown-up children who love Jesus and honor their parents.
5. I am thankful for an amazing son-in-law and daughter-in-law for whom I prayed for many years before I ever knew them.
4. I am thankful for the 20 years I spent loving and being loved by the people of God in my role as a pastor.
3. I am thankful for parents who gave me great roots and encouraged me to find my wings.
2. I am thankful for godly mentors who invested in me and taught me how to invest in others.
1. I am thankful for the amazing adventure of life at this time in history and for the people with whom I get to share the journey.
BONUS: At the time I wrote that list, I was not yet a grandpa. So, rather than finding what to cut from the original list, I am adding that I am thankful to have a little girl who can’t say “Grandpa” yet, but whose eyes light up when “bmpuh” comes into the room and who has given this old dude a whole new experience in joy.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Our lives matter to God. For that, I am thankful beyond words.
