Thanksgiving Thoughts

Another holiday season is upon us.  Turkeys and mistletoe, cranberry sauce and fruitcakes, pilgrims and Santa Claus.  Ahhhh, the sights and sounds of the season.  The day after tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I'm looking forward to a feast!  I know many of you are too, plus football and long naps.

But, you know, it isn't called THANKSgiving for nothing.  Besides the pecan pies and pigskins, it is a time to reflect on how we've been blessed.  Sooooo, here's my feeble attempt.  But, before I go too far, I have to make a deal with you.  If you read my list, I want you to do me a favor and post ONE comment... (okay more if you really want)... one comment about something YOU are thankful for.  You can leave it anonomously if you prefer, but I like comments and I want to read what you have to say.

Before the list, a story:

A few years ago, I tried to establish a tradition in our home where we would go around the table and share about one thing each of us was thankful for before we ate our Thanksgiving feast.  I think I'm the only one who had much enthusiasm for the idea.  It could be because when we're trying to do that there's a hot, delicious, crispy bird with all the fixin's sitting right under our noses. 

I will tell you one story though.  It was funny to us...maybe it could be for you too.  We were all gathered in our living room, my family and my nephew's family.  We were going around the circle sharing what we were each thankful for, and when the turn came for my nephew's oldest boy to share (he was in about sixth grade or so), I could have sworn that he said:  "I'm thankful for violence."

Huh!  What?!  We all turned and looked at him like he was some sort of giant fruitcake.

"What did you say?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"I said I was thankful for violins."

Giant sigh of relief.  He's not a psychopath...he just appreciates classical music.  Well, when you grew up on the south side of Muncie, that could seem pretty crazy too, but we were all feeling much better about his thoughts anyway.

Enough with the stories, and on with my list:

I am thankful for...

1.  Nancy Elaine DeCamp--A wonderful wife, an amazing mother, and a close friend.
2.  Angela DeCamp--A beautiful young woman with a brilliant mind and an even more brilliant talent  for art.
3.  Andrea DeCamp--Another beautiful young woman with a heart that knows no bounds in its love and loyalty.
4.  My employer--It keeps us under a roof, clothed, fed, warm, and is a company with integrity.
5.  My church family--They have embraced my family, given me new depth, and put me to work.
6.  God--His patience with my faults, His Grace in forgiving me, His willingness to make me useful.
7.  My fellow elders at Southeastern--They are all very different from one another, but seem to complement one another nicely.  I think our Father has assembled us for a very good reason.  They sometimes frustrate me, but mostly they humble me and support me,...and sometimes give me a good-natured hard time.
8.  Dale Robinson--We became fast friends about five years ago, and I always enjoy spending time with him.
9.  Greg York--This friendship was slower to develop, but has recently been a real joy to me.  (Thanks for the long talks after our meetings!)
10.  Physical Health--Last year, I tore my Achilles Tendon and at Thanksgiving I was in a cast and on crutches.  Over the last few years, I've herniated a disc in my neck, had a stress fracture in my foot, and torn the Achilles.  Each of those events has made it more and more clear to me just how precious physical ability is.  I am way out of shape right now, but I'm on the mend and will soon be back in the action.

I could go on and on...my boss, other friends, folks I work on committees with.  I have much to be thankful for.  I guess I should also say that I'm thankful for Google Blogger.  It's given me a nice outlet.

How about you?  Share one for me please.