Thankful
I saw a great quote from Tim Keller this week:
It’s one thing the be grateful. It’s another thing to give thanks. Gratitude is what we feel. Thanksgiving is what we do.
I’m excited about the Christmas season but not quite ready to close the book on this season of “thanksgiving.” We have designated a day to celebrate it but, as Christians, it should be part of our DNA to be lived out daily. As Keller said, gratitude is a feeling, thanksgiving is the act of giving thanks for that which we are grateful.
Before we enter this Christmas season, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank God for some of the things that i am very grateful for from this year:
Julie - my amazing wife of 33 years. Constantly serving, giving and encouraging us all. Emily & William’s wedding
Emma’s great progress (spider-walking on the ceiling has to be my new favorite - ha) and Annie being such a great big sister
Lauren’s acceptance to Samford & a great Fall of her Senior year
Serving with Will and Emily at Outback and watching them both flourish in using their their gifts to serve others
Watching Catherine and Paul with their great NICU ministry that continues impact so many
Honeywood - an amazing family weekend
Lifeline - I love that we are doing this as a family ministry and making a generational impact in the lives of other families.
God leading us to Birmingham in 1993 so that years later we could welcome Paul, Kate and William into our family. Each of you are a gift to your spouse and to the family
Briarwood Christian School - which has impacted all of us in powerful ways
Our health - though we have definitely had a few challenges over the past year or so
This certainly isn’t a complete list but the ones that come to mind for this past year. I’m excited to see what the rest of the year has in store. Now I’m ready to bring on the Christmas season…
Grateful and thankful,
Big E
Matt. 5:6