I Am Thankful

I admire people who write columns every day or preach sermons every day. I do not know how they do it. When required, I can manage a sermon once a week and a column every two weeks.

I am sure it has happened, but I would hate to write and/or preach something that meant absolutely nothing to someone else or did precious little to make them think about their faith or draw them closer to God.

Otherwise, I would have kept my pen still and my mouth shut. Such is the case with Thanksgiving. What can little, old, skinny me write about Thanksgiving that hasn’t already been said?

I am thankful for the usual —God, faith, spouse, family, church, work, home, and transportation. I am not perfect so I have to ask God to forgive me each day, but I would say that I have and do thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon me, in spite of my not being what I should be.

I know that everything I am and that everything I have is because of Him and Him alone. Thank you God. So what else am I thankful for?

I am thankful for: 1) small town newspapers who let people like me write a column; 2) little green frogs that stick to the storm door while waiting for the right bug; 3) doctors who stop, listen, and hear their patients; 4) honest mechanics; and 5) honest plumbers.

Also, 6) preachers who think more of others than themselves; 7) local companies and institutions that hire local people; 8) companies and institutions that pay living wages instead of working wages; and 9) businesses where employees always say “thank you.”

Also, 10) restaurants where waiters and waitresses look after each other and their customers; 11) drivers that use turn signals (not hand signals); 12) people who do not think the world revolves around them; 13) parents who don’t give their children everything; and 14) parents who discipline their children.

Also, 15) people who give others an opportunity that would otherwise be impossible; 16) friends who actually call, write, or visit; 17) people, organizations, and institutions that give people second chances; and 18) schools that teach and discipline.

Also, 19) people who cook from scratch; 20) honest and faithful spouses; 21) clean water; 22) electricity; 23) indoor bathrooms; 24) clean-air machines; 25) drivers who don’t tailgate; and 26) someone who buys another person a meal, anonymously.

Also, 27) passengers who wait their turn on buses and airplanes; 28) butterfly bushes; 29) cars that last longer than their payments; 30) homemade chocolate pies; 31) a year of normal rainfall.

Now, it’s your turn. Think of 31 things for which you are thankful. Thank God for them. Happy Thanksgiving!