Thanksgiving perspective

I love this time of year, as it gives me a chance to think about the things that I am truly grateful for. One of the things I am most grateful for is my relationship with Christ. I can say with certainty that without Him, I would not be able to appreciate all the other things I have been blessed with. I thank God for my family, my church, a home to live in, food to eat, clean water to drink, my health, the teens I minister to and with, a vehicle to get around in, and a vision for ministry, just to name a few.

I think what impacts me the most as I get older is that, I cannot take these things for granted. I think that it is easy to have the mindset that I deserve these things, but I do not. It is only by the grace of God.

I also understand that there are many others in this world, even in my city who are lacking all or some of these. They likely have no place to go to be with family. They may not be enjoying health or have a home.

My heart is best summed up in a quote I love: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." The reason I love this so much is that it humbles me. I understand that I am one person in this world of 6-7 billion people. BUT I AM ONE. I am important to God. I am unique, and I have a unique purpose. Part of my purpose is to impact others, or maybe just one.

I like to think that my life has made a difference in someone else's life. I think of people I have impacted, people like Jerry, Kurtis, Wayne, Karen, Kaitlyn, Anna and Gwen. I think of others I have impacted in hurricane Katrina like Sonya and Richard, Bill, Robin and my friends in Biloxi, MS. I think of the homeless people I have been able to provide a meal for. I think of the teens I was able to minister to while missionaries in the Czech Republic.

I also love to think of people who impacted me: my wife, my parents, my children, my first Sunday school teacher Ken Moore, David Taylor a professor in Bible College who inspired me to get involved in challenging places, Kaitlyn who has inspired me to be a better father, Shelby who taught me to have deep compassion for the hurting, Cathy and Carol who have taken a step of faith with me in this new ministry, Mary Alice who has led a ministry through challenging days and has kept Him first.

My challenge for you my brothers and sisters is this, count your blessings, be a blessing and expect a blessing from Him as you make Him the priority of your life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!