Can you believe that it’s only one week until Thanksgiving? My, how time flies! I don’t know about you, but I just love this time of year. The sights, the smells, the fellowship with family and friends. I can just about smell the fried turkey and picture my family gathered together around the table. All of it comes together to produce a wonderful season. But as I’ve been thinking about the approaching holidays and all the fun things that go along with it, I’ve been reminded that if I’m not careful, I could quickly lose sight of what is really important. So with that in mind, I just want to remind you about the importance of having an attitude of gratitude, not only this time of year, but all year around.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus-Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)
I love this verse! Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi. At the time of this writing, Paul was writing from Rome and was awaiting trial. It is remarkable to me that despite his precarious situation, Paul was thinking of others and not of himself! His mind has gone back to the believers in Philippi, and every recollection brings him great joy. This is particularly noteworthy when you read Acts 16 and discover some of the horrible things that happened to Paul while he was in Philippi. He was illegally arrested and beaten, was placed in stocks, and was humiliated before people. For most people, these memories would produce great sorrow, but not for Paul. Even these painful memories bring him great joy, because it was through this suffering that a prison guard found Christ! You see, Paul fully recognized that it wasn’t about him. It was through his sufferings that a greater purpose was realized and fulfilled. Paul knew full well what it meant to have an attitude of gratitude!
As I ponder upon Paul’s example, my mind and heart are flooded with gratitude and joy for so many people. First of all, the Lord has seen fit to bless me with a wonderful family. Lacie is truly an amazing wife, mother, pastor’s wife, best friend, and partner in ministry. She is also the mother to the three most beautiful, precocious children in the world. M’Lynn , Mallory, and Tripp stretch me in ways I never thought possible and push me every day to be a better Christian, a better father, and a better man. For that, I am eternally grateful. I have been blessed with wonderful parents who raised me in a loving, Christlike home and who taught me what it truly means to be a Christian. It is my privilege to be called their son and to be their pastor. I am also thankful for my baby brother, whom shall always be my best bud, even if we don’t see each other as much as either one of us would like. I am also blessed beyond measure to have the honor of pastoring an incredible church family. They are some of the warmest, most genuine, servant-hearted people I know, and it is a pleasure to serve Christ with them. I have the best friend in the world, and I work with the best staff on the planet. I am blessed beyond what I deserve.
I could go on and on. As I write this, my heart is full. What about you? As we approach yet another Thanksgiving, who in your life are you thankful for? Let me encourage you to tell that person or people that you are thankful for them. Tell them now while you still can. Remember to adopt an attitude of gratitude not just for this season but for all eternity. And from my house to yours, please know that you have my prayers for a most blessed Thanksgiving season!
Happy Thanksgiving,
JP
