Thanksgiving is a great holiday. It is great for many reasons although I have to admit that I am still grateful for the food. Most of all, I am grateful for the time with family. However, I am still grateful for leftovers that will last for days. Despite our fondness of food, Thanksgiving has to be more than food.

It is a time that God has blessed us to have which allows us to reflect on the great blessings He has given us. As a side note, I am concerned that even this great day is becoming corrupted to the point that being thankful has lost all meaning. It is counter-intuitive that we spend time reflecting on our blessings and being thankful only to run out and battle the crowds trying to get more things as is typical for black Friday. Being thankful should be the natural expression of thanks in response to God’s blessings, protection, family, and love. Being thankful has to be an expression of the heart that is grateful to our Great God for all that He has done, is doing, and will do in the future.

1 Corinthians 1:4

“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,”

If we really took the time to read all that the Bible has to say about being thankful we would be here for days to come. Yet I think that it would make us better Christians in the process. Reflecting on our blessings and being thankful is good for us and good for others. I want to issue a challenge to everyone who reads this to spend some time this week focusing on all that God has done for you. This time will strengthen us as Christians and help us develop a more positive outlook on life. So with that in mind, let me tell you what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for Jesus. He loved me when I was unlovable, rebellious, and even hostile to the things of God. He took my place when it should have been me on that cross. He took my punishment for the sins I committed. I am also thankful for the many great things he has blessed me with since I gave my life to him.

I am thankful for my family. I have a family that loves me in ways that is hard to explain at times. I have a wife who loves me unconditionally, stands beside me, and sometimes even helps me to move forward in the faith. I am thankful for 3 wonderful children who have been a blessing to me when so many cause heartaches for their parent.

I am thankful for the Lord’s church that I am blessed to serve. I truly love you all and want nothing more than to share in this journey with you.

I am thankful for the challenges, disappointments, and heartaches that God allows to make us stronger.

I am thankful for your courage, conviction, devotion, and love that is so overwhelming at times. I am thankful for your humility and the way you hunger for the word of God. Sometimes I get tired but when I see a brother or sister with a heart burning to know more of God, more of Jesus, and more of His grace, being tired seems like a badge of honor that I will gladly wear with pride. Church I can say with confidence that I am thankful. Are you?