I really look forward to Thanksgiving ... well, actually I really look forward to the eating at Thanksgiving. Can anything compete with turkey and all the fixings? And then it's all topped off with my favourite
dessert of "y'know-it's-too-hard-to-choose-so-why-not-just-give-me-a-slice-of-both-pumpkin-and-apple" pie.
Other than the meal, my family growing up didn't have many other Thanksgiving traditions, but a tradition that I want to start in my family is to go around the table and share one thing we are thankful for this year (truth be told, I remember seeing it on The Cosby Show ... and who doesn't want to be like the Huxtables!?). In the spirit of that tradition, here are some things I am thankful for (couldn't narrow it down to one!):
- I am thankful for my wife Libby. "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:26-30
- I am thankful for my children.
McKinley - who's middle name, Alaia, means joy and she lives out that name everyday as her fullness for life brings joy to our family.
Elianna - her gentle spirit quietly grabs my busy and hurried heart to herself and reminds me to stop, sit and savour life.
Chloe - her pure energy and non-stop movement keep me on my toes and laughing a lot ... even after the hardest of days.
Being a daddy to these three girls is one of the greatest joys of my life.
- I am thankful that Libby and I have deep, authentic friendships at Harvest. People who love us enough to pray for us, put their arm around us, speak encouragement AND speak truth into our lives. I am blessed to know and be known by these people.
- I am grateful for the people of God who have shaped my life up to this point. As I look back over the years I see that I didn't get here on my own but by those who poured themselves out in the call of the gospel. And it is all due to the grace of God. I am indebted to those who lived out the truth of Acts 20:24: "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I might finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
- I am thankful for Harvest Bible Chapel. I have been unbelievably blessed to be part of a church that is made up of such real people who love Jesus so much, want to be in the Word and seeking more intimacy with Him, are serious about holiness while still clinging to grace and living without masks, love to worship, are committed to prayer and who have a passion to see the lost find the truth of Jesus Christ. I have loved the last two years and look forward with excitement to the years to come!
- More than anything else I am thankful for Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life for without Him my life would be worth nothing. He is my Savior and my King, the Lamb of God who atoned for my sin. He is the Alpha and Omega who controls the beginning and end of each circumstance in my life. He is the Bread of Life who provides spiritual nourishment to keep me in perfect peace. He is my Lord and my God who is immortal, all powerful and who is God alone. I am overwhelmed by God and his grace and promise of a new life now and a future inheritance that cannot be shaken.
Living by His Grace,
Kaj