I keep seeing posts by my Facebook friends listing an item for which they are thankful. It started on November 1 and I suppose will run through Thanksgiving on the 28th.
I have resisted the temptation to make these entries each day, though I am very thankful. In fact, I have so much to be thankful for a mere 28 days would not be sufficient. What I will do is list the top 5 things for which I am thankful.
Numer One - The forgiveness of my sins through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross. My salvation is a gift from a loving God given to an undeserving sinner, me. If I had to become good enough to deserve eternal life I surely would have come short as does everyone in this world. The only way I will make it to heaven is because God has promised me that if I would receive His Son as my Saviour I could go. Wow, I am really thankful for that.
Number Two - A loving, patient, humble, godly wife. I chose to enter the gospel ministry years ago because I felt the call of God. She has followed me into that calling faithfully. I have dragged her half way around the world to live an extremely difficult life in Africa. She survived spiders bigger than a man's hand, no electricity, no water, no washing machines, no medical services, and the list goes on. (And she still loves me) I am so thankful my wife loves God, hence she can love me.
Number Three - My kids and their families.
My five children. They are not perfect. They may never win an award for child of the year. But, they all love God and are "good" people. To me, those two things are more important than just about anything else. While they are very different one from another, they each are kind to people, friendly, easy to get along with, gentle in spirit and most of all, love their family. I am a proud Papa when it comes to my kids. They are what they are by the grace of God and the good parenting skills of their mother. For my children I am extremely grateful.
My daughter in law takes good care of five of my grandchildren. She is a good woman who loves my son and loves God. She makes sure my grandkids know about God and gets to church where they can learn even more. That is important to me.
My son in law is a good man who treats my daughter with love and respect. He is a hard worker and a good provider. Thats important to me.
My soon to be daughter in law is a sweet, kind, loving mother. Because my son is still in school chasing advanced degrees in music her willingness to sacrifice for him makes me happy. I am thankful for the mates God has brought into the lives of my children
My grandchildren, three girls and three boys, each are a blessing to me. This Christmas we will all be together as a family. I am so amped up about this Christmas. I am thankful that God has worked it out for us to be together.
Number Four - My church. Our church has gone through its share of ups and downs recently. Through it all there remains a loving family whose hearts are knit together by love of the Saviour. Our church family is a faithful group of families that week in and week out come together with a spirit of worship and praise to our great God. I am blessed to be its pastor.
Number Five - My country. Having lived abroad I can attest to the excellence of the USA. She is not perfect. She never has been or never will be. While there is corruption in the political realm of our country it does not diminish the excellent spirit of all true Americans who have a huge heart of compassion for those less fortunate. At any disaster in the world America is almost always the first on the scene to help and usually the largest donor of aid. We often help those countries who had previously spit on our flag. We do what we do because of who we are, Americans. We do what we do because it is right. I love America, with all its faults. I would rather live here than any other place in the world. I am thankful to be an American.
Well, there you have it for what it is worth. My top five. What's on top of your list?
