Thankful

Psalm 105:1
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

In November 1975 through 1992, I spent Thanksgiving with (what seemed like at the time), 1000 family members. With uncles and aunts numbering into double digits, there were plenty of cousins to play, jokes to ‘crack’, hugs to give, and pies and cakes to eat.

In November 1996, I celebrated a college basketball tournament championship with some boys from Texas. One of my teammates’ mom cooked us food similar to my family’s traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

In November 1999, I was invited to eat Thanksgiving dinner with my bosses’ family. His mom was a very loving woman who loved the Lord and lived a Christian lifestyle. It showed through her children’s actions and love for her/their family. I credit her son (my boss) as my first male Christian role model, who played an integral role in me committing my life to Christ.

In November 2003, my friendly neighbor invited me to spend Thanksgiving with her family. I choose to stay home, due to feeling that I wouldn’t ‘fit in’ and make her family uncomfortable on a day, which they should be comfortable. Two years later, I started dating my neighbor, married her, and spent Thanksgiving with the new family. I was loved and accepted.

In November 2009, I will spend Thanksgiving with my wife and my two sons. For the first time, we will cook (smoke) a turkey, side dishes, and desserts without any physical assistance from parents or grandparents. There will be no extended relatives to provide a source of entertainment or an ‘extra hand’. We will be alone, together.

The hardest emotional time in my life, by far, was when I was a single college student 12 hours away from my immediate and extended family. Holidays intensified the emotions of loneliness. It encouraged me to think about my future, family traditions I would create, my future wife and children, and my life. That season of my life has now passed and what I thought about yesterday is today. I’m living it! Instead of looking ahead, I’m reflecting. I’m thankful!

I’m thankful that when I was ‘little’, my family demonstrated love through cooking dishes that I now crave on turkey day. I’m thankful that my ‘Big Momma’ didn’t allow me to depart the dinner table until I was completely filled with food. I’m thankful that my mom provided an example by serving her community, family, and friends during Thanksgiving holiday. I’m thankful that my father delivered firewood with the possibility of not being paid during Thanksgiving season to the needy. I’m thankful that my grandfather would openly pray to Jesus Christ before Thanksgiving dinner. I’m thankful that my grandmother would have the most leftover sweets at her house, days following Thanksgiving. I’m thankful to realize that their spirits will continue living in me.

Today, I’m thankful for my beautiful wife. From the day we were introduced, she has been a loyal, great friend. I’m thankful for the choices she makes for the betterment of our family. I’m thankful for our future together. I’m thankful for my oldest son’s quirkiness, which is a reflection of his time spent with odd parents. I’m thankful for my baby son’s ability to get everyone’s attention with his loud powerful voice. I’m thankful that I see a future in Christian ministry for my entire family.

I’m thankful that I allowed Jesus Christ to rescue me from my madness in my early adulthood. I’m thankful that I recognized His ability to change my life. I’m thankful that He’s made me ‘cool’ to my kids and wife in an unworldly way. I’m thankful that He’s given me something to ‘look forward’. I’m thankful that I finally have the courage to openly confess Him to the world without a care or concern of judgment.

Be Thankful & Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.