Why I’m thankful this Holiday

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

                                                    Fanny Crosby

On this national holiday of Thanksgiving, there are numerous reasons to be thankful.

First, I am thankful for God’s infinite grace, His love, His patience, and the mercies He has bestowed upon me.

Second, “How thankful I am today, to know that all my past failures were necessary for me to be where I am now. Through much pain came experience and, in suffering, I became obedient. When I sought God, He shared His treasured gifts. Through experience and obedience, growth started, followed by gratitude. Yes, then came peace of mind.”

Third, I am thankful for the children He chose to bless me with. My eldest daughter, my son, and my youngest daughter.

Fourth, I am thankful for what He has taught me about uniqueness through my children’s lives. I love to listen to my eldest and see my artistic and emotional natures reflected back. I love to watch my son solve problems, as I am reminded of at least one reason I fell in love with my former wife and how much I do love her still.  I love to interact with my youngest, because it reminds me of just how vulnerable I am. And all three of them demonstrate just how tenuous life is on any given day, and how perfect His design truly is.

Fifth, I am thankful that I can be a part of their lives every day.

Sixth, I am thankful for the wise men and women who “speak” into my children’s lives.

Seventh, I am thankful for faithful friends who stand by me in good times and bad.

Eighth, I am thankful for God-ordained emotions, a sense of humor, and inexpressible joy.

Ninth, I am thankful for the freedom I experience while riding with my biker buddies.

Tenth, I am thankful for the men and women who speak truth into my life: Walker, Wade, Mark, Delmar, Debbie, Terry, Michelle, Rick, Collette, Jeff, and my pastors.

And, lastly, I am grateful for living in a country where free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to own firearms still exists, despite those who wish to impose their own version of a Chinese Democracy!

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.  President Ronald Reagan

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