Thankfulness For Thanksgiving

As I was thinking about starting new holiday traditions I thought it would be good to write down all the things I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving. During this time of year, I often think about things to be thankful for but actually writing them down and being more reflective might have more of a lasting impact than just thinking about them passively. So lets get started, shall we? In no particular order (except for #1, thanks to the wife who is editing this):

The wife: I love my wife to no end. That’s why I tolerated painting the new house despite the fact that I don’t like painting (more on this in another blog later). I couldn’t ask for a better wife. She’s beautiful AND smart. Which is obviously important because I can be an idiot most of the time. Basically, she’s a perfect fit for me. That’s not to say we don’t have our disagreements every now and then but you just have to ask yourself, “Who else do I want to work out issues with?” Answer? No one.

In addition, there is also the person(s) I didn't end up with. My buddy Dom and I were discussing how thankful we were of who we didn't end up with when considering all the ex-girlfriends we've had and/or girls who simply rejected us when we were interested. Most of those girls have turned out crazy, quadrupled in size, or would've been terrible fit(s). I guess God does really know what He's doing when providing a wife. Speaking of the wife…

The wife’s family: A few years ago during our communion service at church, one of our pastors asked my father-in-law (aka The Big Boss Man) “How does it feel to have your daughter engaged to Junior?” My father-in-law answered, “He’s an answer to prayer.” That’s right people; I’m an “answer to prayer.” Although I’m pretty sure when The Big Boss Man was praying for his daughter’s future husband he didn’t have a pot-smoking, D-average GPA(ing), street racing dude. It makes me wonder who Becky (the wife's sister) is going to end up with.

However, I’m not thankful for The Big Boss Man only for his free cable TV and his lovely daughter but also because he comes with a wife and therefore I also have a mother-in-law (aka The Mother-In-Law). Having lost my mother a few years ago, the holidays are typically tough. I remember my mom would always get me things that I liked regardless of whether they were healthy for me or not (e.g., Boxes of Snickers, Gatorade, and tons of other junk food). Interestingly, The Mother-In-Law brought home my favorite pie (Pumpkin) the other night and happily showed me knowing that I would destroy it shortly. (Speaking of which, what’s the over/under for full pumpkin pies I will destroy by myself this holiday season? 4.5? 5.5? Let’s settle on 5.0. I’m taking the over, easily.). It was a nice motherly touch that warms the heart.

In any case, being a part of a family has been great. Not only for the fellowship and bonding but also for a place to go watch cable TV without paying for it. I like not paying for stuff.

My Job: I’m grateful that God has provided a job in these hard times. Not everyone is blessed with a job and not everyone is blessed with a teacher’s schedule (e.g., weekends, holidays, and summers off). Yes there are times when I wonder if my students wake up in the morning and say, “What can I do to drive Mr. J up the wall?” Overall, it’s been a good year. The students are learning and they’re growing as little human beings. This isn’t my ideal job but it’s where the Lord currently has me so I’ll continue to put forth my best effort (or at least pretend like I am).

New NBA Season: Need I say more?

Friends: I love these guys. Except Bryan of course.

Church: Before I began attending my church regularly, two of the pastors were already investing into my life during my time at Biola University. They never really had any expectation for me to even start attending their church either. After graduating grad school, the transition made sense. I can’t begin to tell you the amount of healing that’s taken place in my life from past hurts because of the pastors at my church and other members as well. I feel myself getting emotional even as I type this so lets move on.

Food: People who know me well know that I have an unorthodox way of describing good food. I won’t mention how I describe good food here because I would get an earful from the wife (and for good reason). Anyway, I love good food. That doesn’t always mean it’s healthy but I just loooooovvvvvvveeeeeee good food. Since it’s the holiday season families get together and eat tons of good food. The other night I told the wife that when I retire I wanted to take a bath in whip cream. I also want a bowl of strawberries on the side to dip in the bathtub with angel food cake as my pillow. How awesome would that be!?! That’s how much I love food.

It’s the little things in life that you have to be grateful for as well. Food has to be at the top of my list of things we don’t think about that often but make life so much more enjoyable. Speaking of the little things . . .

My Car: I have a 97’ Ford Explorer. I bought it brand new. It is far from brand new now but it’s lasted longer than Hitler’s reign. On my way to night class the other day, however, I was on the freeway going about 65mph and the front left tire decided that it had enough of life and exploded (If you’re not a cop reading this then it was more like 75mph). I guess I’m thankful that I’m still alive.

All the things I’ve mentioned come with the understanding that God is the provider of all these things. Acknowledging that fact is good but living it out in personal holiness and generosity towards others is the ultimate “Thank You” to God.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!