I'm Thankful

Have you ever tried to list the all things for which you are thankful?

I’m thankful for a Mama that insisted I show “gumption”, and a Daddy that insisted that I have “Backbone”. Webster’s defines gumption as shrewd practical common sense with courage and initiative. Backbone to Daddy was guts, courage, masculinity, gentlemanly manners, and all that is associated with being a man.

I’m thankful for the simplicity of the gospel; that the deepest, most complex or profound theology in the scriptures can be expressed in only three words; “Jesus loves me”. He knows everything I’ve ever done, everything I’ve ever said, and every thought I’ve ever had and He loves me anyway. For this I’m very thankful.

I’m thankful for my parents, my sisters, and my heritage. I’m thankful for my wife, my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; my entire family. I’m thankful for a wife who cares and loves me enough to nag me to death sometimes. I’m thankful for a son that’ll put his own life on hold to move in and take care of me when I can’t take care of myself. I’m thankful for a grandchild that calls “just to see how ya’ll are doing”.

I’m thankful for the comfortable life God has given me here on this earth. To wake up in a comfortable and warm bed; have a hot cup of coffee, take a hot shower, put on clean clothes. Most of God’s creatures don’t have it so good. I’m thankful for the last can of soup in the pantry and the last pair of socks in my drawer, even the ones with the holes. It’s so easy to lose our attitude of gratitude.

I’m thankful for the medical profession and the way they can relieve pain; and for surgeons that can go inside of us and fix things.

I’m thankful for a Preacher that preaches the Bible and for southern gospel music. I’m thankful for a son that reinforces my faith by demonstrating his own and a friend that is always there for me.

I’m thankful for God’s faithfulness and, His patience and forgiveness, His healing touch, the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life; and for answered prayer, especially when He allows me to witness it. Most of all I’m thankful He chose me, loved me, and saved me; I’m thankful for the Lord Jesus Christ.