Happy Thanksgiving
Nov 26th by JonIt’s Thanksgiving in the United States today. I’m in Pensacola, Florida with my family and hope you’re with people you dig as well. Instead of a regular post. I thought we could just spend the next few days sharing what we’re thankful for.
Regular SCL will return on Monday, but for now, here is a list of unedited items I’ve written under my thanksgiving list in my quiet time journal. I write out the ACTS prayer method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) each morning. It helps keep my scattered mind straight-ish.
Here are some random things I’ve been thankful for the last few weeks:
1. Abraham Piper’s support of the Vietnam project.
2. That Bred Bretz liked the script I wrote. (I wrote a short script for North Point Community Church and Brad gave me a thumbs up on it.)
3. My wife. I love her and love that she’s in my life.
4. For in-laws who love our kids.
5. For the lunch with Stacy from Louisville’s family.
6. Air to breathe, a head that bursts from the pillow.
7. The success of my dad’s church.
8. That we have money to give.
9. The Jeff Henderson sermon at church about being faithful to work
10. God loves me.
11. That I have a job to get to go to each morning.
12. Getting tackled in the front yard by my daughters when I got home from work.
13. That I have parents who love me.
14. The book idea for book number 2
15. The continuing clarity of the mission of Stuff Christians Like
16. The new building at work we’re moving to is close to the old one and my commute won’t change.
And this last 18 days has been an amazing season, love that Christian word, of thankfulness for the generosity of Stuff Christians Like readers. We’ve raised $50,000 toward our goal of $60,000 for kids we don’t know, in a land most of us will never visit to build two kindergartens. Please know that hundreds of 5 and 6 year olds in Vietnam are thankful for you right now. I am humbled that I get to be a part of this community.
How about you?
What are you thankful for this year?
Comments
Good list. Good blog.
I think Australian culture loses out because we don't have a day of thanks like you American cousins.
There has been attempts to get a day of thanksgiving going but i'm not sure how widely they have caught on
If I ever visit, I'll bring a cornucopia with me. It would be a hassle to have in my luggage so I'd probably wear it as a hat on the plane.
You so should visit! You have a lot of fans in Australia
If we end up going to Vietnam I think we're going to try to visit Australia and New Zealand and Cambodia while we're down there. That's a big "if" but we might try to do that.
God that loves even me. My sisters. My work. My church. I have everything I need and more.
1. Jesus, who, in spite of me, loves me more than I can understand every day. (come on, you knew that had to be #1
)
2. My husband who makes life so much fun. He's one of God's kindest, most loving gifts to me.
3. 4 beautiful kids whom God has used to teach me so much about His love, and to bring to light so many issues of my selfish flesh so that He can heal them, to draw me closer to Him. They are such an undeserved blessing to me.
4. For a church with pastors who truly love Jesus and people. They live what they preach and they don't believe their own press clippings. They make me love Jesus more and challenge me to love people better.
5. For my husband's job. Not only does he have an amazing job sharing the stories of God's work all over North America, but he has some incredible coworkers and a great boss. God answered some very specific, long asked for prayers in opening this door and it still floors me a year later.
6. In all seriousness, I'm thankful for this blog. 2008 was an incredibly difficult year for our family and we stumbled upon your blog. Many nights when things were so dark, I found laughter that brought me to tears on this sight, both in your posts and in other's comments. It was indeed good medicine to laugh, to remember our roots, and to identify with other's struggles. And presently this blog has continued to challenge me to love well, to take stock of the goofy (and serious) things in my life that need to change. I have loved the community that has been built here. And I am over the moon watching God do His thang with the Vietnam project! Thanks for all the work you do, for all of your honesty and sincerity. Our family thanks yours this Thanksgiving Day! Happy Day!
Toni –
Thanks so much for the kind words about this blog. It's been a blast to be part of this and I am surprised as you that we're 20 months in and still finding ways to laugh and get challenged.
Jon
Campfires. Brooms. Earrings. Color. Fine china. Smiles. Tires. Double-paned glass. Cumulus clouds. Fonts. Loons. Dental floss. Laughter. Almonds. Clean sheets. Daffodils. Matching socks. Radio waves. Kleenex. Agates. Shampoo. Eyes. Button mushrooms in my beef stew.
I am dead serious when I say this, I love loons. We had to do a team building exercise at work where we picked our favorite animal and I picked loon. I think that sound they make reminds me of living up North and now that I'm in Georgia I get a little homesick.
I love the loons on White Pond in Ossipee, NH!
Living in crazy Jo'burg this year, all the friends I've made, the many, many answers to prayers and the fact that it's November and hot and sunny out. But also the fact that in 16 days I get to home to the UK and a cold Christmas, and my family (and cats!).
Oh, and Jesus, naturally.
I've never been to Jo'burg but spent some time in London and hope to get back to the UK at some point. London is the 6th largest city as far as readers of SCL and I think it would be fun to go over there when the book comes out.
The biggest thing i'm thankful for this year is getting to study abroad in the amazing country of Singapore at a great university where i've met wonderful people. I was even able to do it without taking on significant financial strain as I got given a large scholarship which someone else had applied for on my behalf.
I'm thankful for my sister who last year around this time was in the hospital suffering from depression & anxiety (and who is so much better now), my parents, my older brother, friends who love me in spite of my attitude sometimes, wonderful mentors that God is placing in my life, the realization that God love me! That I finally am starting to figure out that he is pursuing me and wants to heal my broken heart (and is healing my broken heart).
Also: sweatpants, Star Trek (2009 version), books, adventure and cheeseburgers.
)
Amen to every single thing on your second list! I could put each of them on my own list!
I'm glad He's healing you. He delights in you.
We started a tradition with our boys last year where we all would say one thing we were thankful for each night at dinner all the way through November. We have a squirrel who lives in our backyard that my boys love so I made a squirrel out of fleece to hang up in our kitchen. At dinner each of us gets a construction paper acorn to write one thing we're thankful for that day and then we hang it up by the squirrel. It's so fun to watch the acorns multiply and see how much we really have been given. All the boys, even our 2 year old, come up with some good stuff. Granted things like Elmo, Ewoks and cheese have shown up this year but they usually put some thought into it and it's been so fun to see what's in their hearts.
Happy Thanksgiving!
My husband (that our relationship has gotten stronger this past year even as we were celebrating our 10th anniversary).
)
My kids (even though they're BOTH currently screaming right now…) lol
Our "new" minivan.
My job at Boston Pizza – I really do love it.
My sister.
A warm house and enough money to keep us alive and well cared for in it.
The internet and all of the wonderful connections I've made through it.
And… Sleep (one day I will get enough of it, I just know it.)
I'm thankful that God is with me, that He made me, and saved me.
I'm thankful for my family, even the destruction wrought by the 1 year old. (I ain't kidding this kid is fast as lightening and gets into everything)
I'm thankful for my students, especially the freaks.
I'm thankful for my friends both online and offline.
I'm thankful that God is teaching me how ot be thankful all year round even though I often fail my lessons.
This Thanksgiving I am thankful for:
My Family-they teach me how to serve and love like Jesus and inspire/push me to do great and extraordinary things that I never thought I could do
Dreaming-I am thankful that God allows us to dream with HIm and then shows us how to really dream and blows our minds away.
Community-thankful for the community that is found all over the world. In person and on blogs.
I'm thankful for:
1) Parents who didn't use drugs, abuse their children, abandon me, or have gambling problems.
2) Parents and siblings who love and serve God
3) A wonderful husband
4) Wonderful in-laws
5) A job and a job for my husband.
6) Peter Pan whipped peanut butter, smoothies, toothpaste, a clothes dryer, running water, airplanes, technology that allows people around the world to communicate with each other, 2% milk, popsicles when your sick.
1) Parents who didn't use drugs, abuse their children, abandon me, or have gambling problems.
Ditto. I am realizing more and more what a huge blessing that is.
Second ditto
Excellent point.
Love this idea…
For many, many years, I have sat down at the beginning of each month (okay, *almost* each month) and made a list of 50 things I am thankful for that month. It has been an awesome discipline, and the small bound journal in which I keep the list would be one of the things I would grab in case of a fire….
And I post a random 50 items from the list every year on my blog. This is this year's: http://quoththemaven.blogspot.com/2009/11/2009-ye... Not trying to do the tacky "ooh everyone come to my blog" thing, but just don't want to retype 50 things!
I love Thanksgiving. What an awesome concept for a holiday!
Hope everyone reading this blog has much to be thankful for today, and the time to stop and *be* thankful… God bless us all!
Copy and paste. That is what I will say, it will let you copy fifty+ things in under seconds, even faster than putting your URL in the comment.
2 beautiful healthy daughters, a husband who is growing in the Lord every day, a church family that truly loves us, awesome parents, freedom to worship God, freedom to vote, the blessing of getting to stay at home to raise my kids, a job for my husband, enough money for everything we need (not want but need) – I have more but one of those beautiful daughters is crying!
I am thankful for laughter. For a warm bed, a bathtub, and electricity. For my pet turtle. For my nieces that light up my heart. For the teenagers I work with and all that they teach me- about what I value, about my selfishness, about love, about family, about pain. For my coworkes that embody what it means to work as a team. For my family that are in my life daily (when I want them to!) and who are willing to help me move. For friends both near and far that see me through great days, through bad days, and all the days in between. I am thankful that God has given me this life, with all of my random experiences, opportunities. I am thankful that Jesus Christ loves me enough to continue making me more like Him.
I am thankful for the muppets, especially Fozzie Bear. He cracks me up!
Oh yeah, I'm also thankful for Jesus, my mom and my husband Bob…:)
I am also thankful to be back in sixth place! Woo Hoo!!!!
I'm thankful that the passing of Dan's father has confirmed that we're not meant for this world. When we ache, we ache for etrenity. In heaven we will be complete in Christ. I'm thankful to know this world is not my home. And, I'm thankful that we're making new traditions and leaning on each other. I'm thankful that I'm surprised at the light mood in the house.
Also thankful for….
vanilla bean cheesecake
Dan, who is my own cheesecake (okay, gag)
the fire in the fireplace
lunch with the Acuffs, my new favorite people
Stacy, I've been praying especially for you, Dan and family today. I know it is a difficult day. Yet, the grace we see in you, despite the sorrow, reminds us all that we are to "mourn with hope". Happy Thanksgiving Day!
I am thankful that God is teaching my family to have faith in God no matter what the bank account and external circumstances look like.
I am thankful that He has plans for Vietnam as is evident by the many places I hear of the work being done there and awareness being raised in that field that is 'ready for harvest'…and excited to see what our family's role will be as we start a ministry for Vietnam this coming year.
I am thankful for the overall health of myself and immediate family.
I am most thankful for the work of the cross…
I'm feeling very sentimental this Thanksgiving – as it's my 7th away from the US, and it's been a long time. I really miss Thanksgiving! So, I'm thankful for God, family, friends, Mexico, tacos, grilled onions with lemon and salt, Starbucks coffee times with friends, guitars, cool electronic gadgets, funny baby chickens, kittens, mounds bars, campechanas, being bilingual and having bilingual kids, a car that works, money in my bank account, and that I get to go home for my birthday and Christmas!
I am thankful that God has given me the high honor of serving Him, by serving the people of Eastern Kentucky. I am thankful for my beautiful wife, who is really too good for me. I am thankful for the joys of tickling my children. I am thankful for Stacy from Louisville; she's pretty awesome for someone i know only electronically. I am also thankful for Jon and SCL, especially Serious Wednesdays! I love seeing the Church and Jesus through your eyes. But, i especially love the vision you have to be much more than a blog!
I'm thankful for where God's brought me in the last 11 months. The ability to put food on my table every night. A job that impacts others. God's forgiveness and grace.
I'm thankful that I have amazing friends. And that my birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year. I'm calling it Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
Health. Beautiful food. The Farmer’s Market. Litle kids who are my friends. Ice skates. Sweaters. Living in America again. Electicity. Hot, running water. My grandma and grandpa, supportive of all the crazy things I try. My parents and brother, also supportive of all the crazy things I try. Essential oils. The radio. Public libraries. Dark chocolate. Kittens. My “sister” in the Philippines. Life. Hope. Joy.
I was saved this year. Not even three months ago, actually.
That's up there.
That's awesome, David!
That's so great David! Praise God!
David, Thanks for sharing that here. You have no idea how many people will remember you in their prayers just because of those words.
And I am one of them.
I feel really cheesy saying this, but one thing I'm thankful for is SCL. You all have reminded me that God loves to laugh and dance, and that has broadened my view of Him and deepened my relationship with Him. Thanks for giving me bits of joy every day.
I second that thanks
So many things to be thankful for (including a blog that reminds me to be thankful…there's no "Thanksgiving" in New Zealand). Top five have to be:
1. New friends in different countries and a God who will turn my frustration into an opportunity to help others
2. Change………although I hate and am thankful for change in pretty equal parts
3. The internet, and no imposed censorship where I live
4. 20/20 vision and no hugely debilitating health issues
5. Kids. Although they confuse me and I don't have any of my own, they seem to say a lot about what God is like, just by existing. I'm thankful for my nephew Zac particularly. He is, quite franky, the cutest boy in the world
I am thankful to God for this year, my health, my job, my car, food, and being arrested and sworn at and being called names I never thought I would ever be called. I am thankful because to God I am perfect for He said so. I know I am a sinner but to God I am perfect. I am thankful because if it was not for His love I would killed myself. This world is cruel and if I didnt know what God’s intentions for me I would have thrown in the towel. But I know everything works together to them who love and trust in God. So my journey is continuing for He has not said it should stop. Trusting everyday that I am not alone although it seems that way. Thank you father for giving me strenght when I never thought I would make it. This year you were with me when I got locked up for no reason, when the same person fetched from work calling for police back up embarrassing me for no reason, but God you wiped all that form my colleagues. I thank you, Lord I may still cry because I feel alone but I know your thoughts are higher than mine and so are your ways.
1. Big dreams
2. Family and friends I look forward to spending time with.
3. Being held accountabe
4. A God who loves me, even when I forget that He's there
5. SCL – it has brought me closer to God daily, and helped me remember that Christians can laugh
6. Being able to sing in an exceptional choir
7. Spending time with my family – I don't get to see them enough
8. Still having a job after a large layoff at work, even though its overnights
9. Losing weight, when I thought it was hopeless
10. Enjoying reading, and being able to get lost in a novel
11. Being able to give, even though I'm financially struggling myself
12. Having a sister-in-law that I am close with
13. Music.
14. Being able to play the piano at my parents' house – I miss that
15. Coffee
Great post Jon – hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoys the weekend. God bless.
Awesome
ooh, ooh…uber excited at the possibility that you might come to NZ! For pretty selfish reasons, if I'm honest: I really want a Booty God Booty badge
But it would also be fun to welcome you with showers of skittles and have side hugs all round.