On this thanksgiving eve I sit here surrounded by my kids (minus the oldest) in a beautiful house at what I believe to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, Seabrook Island, SC, and I can't help but be thankful.
It has become our tradition to be here for six years now. Unfortunately it takes me away from my parents and my side of my family for this holiday. However, its my real only chance to get a full vacation.
As I reflect on how great God has been to me over the years, I begin with my wonderful parents. Raised me to be loving, taught me how to be ready for life, and helped make me into a productive citizen. They provided me everything I needed throughout my life. They have been there every time throughout my life that I have needed them. My pops showed me that it is possible to be a father, work full time, while still working on your education, because of his example I was able to pull off the same feat. My mom has always showed compassion and caring, mom taught me to laugh and to not take myself so seriously sometimes. I am truly thankful for my parents.
I am thankful for my bride of 14 years. What a ride we have had. 14 years of laughter, love, and also some hardships. Through it all she has stuck to me. My bride is the only one who as seen me at my worst and at my best, and yet loved me anyway. Has been so supportive, is the model wife, and a rock solid mother for our three children.
I am thankful for my sisters. I don't see them as often as I would like, nor talk to them as much as I should. But I know I can count on them. I know that when we do talk, our relationship is such that we can pick back up where we left off.
I am thankful for my children. From my oldest to my youngest, they are all so special to me. I am the proud father of four beautiful young ladies. Never would I have imagined someone as much as I do my children. There is something different about a love for your children. I always wondered what kind of parent I would be, sometimes I think I epically fail, other times I think I rock at it. There is nothing more awesome than getting home and your children being so excited to see you, and to wrap their arms around you and say "I love you daddy" or "I missed you".
I am thankful for my career and my calling. Never would I have imagined having two college degrees and trying to get the third. Never would I have imagined the opportunity I have to be able to work with youth and children. To truly have a career, and to LOVE what I do, and to be able to help change the lives of students is a wonderful privilege and not one I take lightly.
I am thankful for my extended family. I have the best in laws around. I have the best extended family. Every side I look between my extended family and my wife's family I see encouragement, and I am loved for who I am, my flaws and all. We all don't see eye to eye on everything, but the love helps give us a mutual respect for one another.
I am thankful for my friends. I have some of the best friends a person could ever had. We can sit around and laugh for hours. I know that many of them I could call on day or night. I know I can shared my deepest hurts and worries. I know I can be real, and not be judged. I can be me. I don't have to try to be someone else. I can let the mask down and don't have to pretend "its ok" when its not. I thank all of you that I call friends. I have discovered over the last 5 years who my friends really are, which has made me appreciate them even more.
I am thankful for those who help me in ministry. God has blessed me with talented help in working with students from childhood to youth. Because of you, makes my job so much easier, and you are impacting more lives than you will ever know.
I am thankful for my church. Finding a great church to minister in is hard. I am thankful for the opportunity to "dream" and to go after the dreams God has placed in front of me. I am thankful for the "encouragers" God has placed around me. We are not a perfect church, because there is none. However, it's the closest one to it.....
I am thankful for my pastor. If you think finding a great church is hard, finding a great pastor is even harder. Its even harder if you are an associate pastor. I am so thankful for the man God has teamed me up with. He treats me as a partner, a co-laborer, in ministry. Someone who God has blessed with so many gifts, the biggest one is being my friend. Someone who is the earthly "role model" for me. If God ever places me back as being a senior pastor, I would want to be as good as mine.
I am thankful for my Lord. On November 30 1997 Jesus changed my life, and I've never been the same. He gave me a new life, a new chance. He changed me from the inside out. I am who I am because of Jesus.
For these things and more I AM thankful.
Chris
No comments:
Post a Comment