I work for a pretty cool company. It
encourages you to spend some time reflecting and dreaming and you don't
have to share anything with anyone else about it. I, however, am
choosing to share it with you. We were all challenged to
write down 10 things we are grateful for this holiday season and three
goals we have for next year. I figured it only made sense to turn it
into a blog post. In no particular order, here are 10 things I am
grateful for.
Thankful for tough times
-Danielle and I have walked through some very
difficult times this year - mainly with our adoption of Brooklynn. I
am thankful for the hope our heavenly father provides and that never
once did he abandon us. I am thankful that Danielle
and I chose to cling to the promises of the Bible instead of giving
into the temptation of saying "whoa is me" during these times. What we
are learning will shape us for the rest of our lives.
Grateful for my Wife
-The greatest honor of my life is that
Danielle chose to marry me. I wish you all could see how amazing she is
and how amazing she has been this year. She keeps our home, takes care
of Brooklnn, takes care of me, has dinner ready every
night when I get home and gives to others. I can't wait for another
year of many laughs and great experiences together!
Thankful for Brooklynn
-I am thankful for my precious baby. I have
no idea how long she'll be mine, but I know she'll be God's forever. I
am thankful for the joy she brings to us, the added responsibility of
being a parent and reminding me how much fun there
is in the simplest of things. I love that I get to hold her, snuggle
with her, pray for her, help her, feed her, change her diaper and
provide for her.
Thankful for Family
-I wish everyone was as fortunate as I am to
have the family I have. My parents, Aunt and Uncle, Mother-in-law and
Brother-in-law all visited this year. I also enjoy speaking to my
parents regularly. They are a wealth of knowledge
and incredible support. I continue to talk to my Grandparents on a
daily basis and my Nana every Sunday afternoon. The example they live
out every day is inspiring and admirable. I miss my Sister and Niece
and Nephew and can't wait to spend time with them
in a week.
Grateful for Friends
-I've always been very private about myself
and about life. One of my goals this year was to open up a little bit
more and to take risks with people. Situations kind of forced that to
happen, but I couldn't be more thankful for it.
At 31 years old, I have the best friends in my life. I have had a
friend travel across the country to visit, another friend meets me
weekly to pray and read the bible, another friend is always a text
message away and has met me early in the morning to pray
about life and another friend is always ready for a good laugh. I had
no idea how richly God would bless me in this area when we moved to
Nashville a couple years ago. Our friends have been our family -
spending holidays with them, celebrating milestones
with them and living life together. This will always be a season of
life I am especially thankful for and consider myself so "rich" by the
relationships God has given me.
Grateful for the Outdoors
-I made a goal this year to get outside
more. I live in a beautiful part of the country and there is so much to
see. This year, I have spent more time exploring parks and lakes
around us. During the hot Summer months, I took every
chance I could to get outside and sweat in the beauty of nature.
During these times, I found myself with such admiration for creation and
a closeness to the Lord I haven't felt at other times.
Thankful I have chosen to be more direct
-As simple as this sounds, one of my goals
this year has been to be more direct in my communication with people.
As a guy who always wanted to please people, I found myself not being as
direct as I should be at times. This year, I
have worked on clearly communicating with people - being direct, honest
and respectful. It's made a big difference.
Appreciating Sacrifice
-This is a broad thing to be grateful for, but
one I think a lot about. Before I get up each day, there are so many
people who have already sacrificed for me. First, God sacrificing his
son for my salvation, then I think of my cousin
serving in the Middle East with many others so I can live a relatively
easy life, I think of family who sacrificed for me, I think of my wife
who sacrifices all the time for me, I think of friends who have
sacrificed for me and the list goes on. Sacrifice
is a great thing and I am so thankful for it.
Grateful for Travel
-We have covered a lot of miles this year!
Danielle and I went home for the holidays last year and are doing the
same in a week, we spent time on the beaches of South Carolina,
visited Charleston, explored Charlotte including
the Billy Graham Museum, went to Arkansas, then to Missouri, we've
explored the caves of Kentucky, the Bourbon Trail, spent time in one of
my favorite cities, Atlanta and so much more. I love to travel because I
like to appreciate the beautiful place we call
earth!
Thankful for the Lord
-I've mentioned it throughout this post in
various ways, but more this year than any other year in my life - the
Lord has been my rock. I chose to follow him years ago and I finally
feel like I am starting to understand what it means
to really live for him, or at least try. He has been my protector, my
strength, my encourager, my source of joy, my accountability, my
provider and the one I get to praise. I have spent years admiring those
who really loved and trusted the Lord and I'm starting
to get a better glimpse of how you get to that place in life where he
is all you need, all you want and all you desire. I have a long ways to
go, but I am slowly getting to a point where nothing else matters.
10 things I am thankful for. It's good
stuff. I am a blessed man and I don't take it for granted. This has
been a challenging year, but an incredible year. I have seen God work
in my life and those around me in huge ways. I have
seen God restore marriages, provide for the poor, encourage the
hopeless, meet all kinds of needs, comfort the lonely and heal the
sick. I have witnessed God provide strength in the tough times and
praised him in the good times. I have cried out to God and
he has answered me. As 2012 comes to an end, I praise God for this
year and how he has drawn so many closer to him.
