A Personal Thanksgiving (11/26/2009)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6)

In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful verses the Bible. It not only tries to keep us focused on what God says is important in life, but it reminds us that God IS the focus.

This is a special Thanksgiving for me and my family. For those of you that know me well, you are probably familiar of the kind of year we have been through. But this verse reminds me that my hardships pale in comparison to those suffered by others – we have not lost a family member from the effects of a war and we have not lost our home or jobs due to the economy. We have not been stricken with disease or any health-related issues.

But we did suffer, and when we did, God proved again and again that not only are his arms big enough for me, but he will keep people in my life and have me cross paths with new people who will help sustain me and my family’s faith.

We lost our wonderful companion Duke.

And God kept us encouraged knowing that we will be rescuing another helpless lab sometime in January 2010.

We almost lost our faith in February in a situation that ripped our hearts .

And God reminded us how big He was by having us cross paths with an awesome group of people, and by keeping people in our lives that loved us unconditionally. Nothing I could do in this lifetime can ever re-pay these people adequately.

So, this Thanksgiving, I give special thanks to all of you who kept me lifted, and those who came to lift: Margie H., Stephen H., Tim C., Sarah C., Dan C., Tracy C., Lynn S., Emily S., Mike S., Josh S., James S., Matt M., Jessica R., Amy K., Mario C., Alex C., Rachel M., All of the people at WestBridge Vet Hospital, Alicia L., Kayla F., Christie F., Patty M., Laura S., Ginny M., Jeremy M., Zach L., Jordan L., Kelly L., Mike L., Pete A., Peter F., Brian L., Tim P., Jason W., Jamie W., Billy R., Bill R., Jake Z., Ethan B., Kyle W., Brad S., Shari H., Mollie E., Adam K., Brad W., Brent W., Cam B., Carol F., Jack F., Cindy F., Cody B., Don M., Natalie M., Donald I., Donna S., Doug C., Ethan L., Glen P., Gretchen K., Jenna K., Jay M., John D., John K., John R., Joe F., Josh L., Kayla G., Kevin G., Kyle B., Lenny N., Mark G., Mike G., Nik E., Quincy S., Bob K., Sean D., Steve S., Susan E., James T., Christy T., Brad L. Karen L., Sarah L., Billy H., Chris A., Frank V., Alex R., Amanda R., Chris T., David O., Fran B., Meg J., Robin D., Mark L., Jeremy R., Abe S., Henry S., Franco, Josh T., Kris T., Rod T., Ethan T., Chris B., Bob H., and everyone at Meetinghouse.

Wow – when I look at this list, I see how much God has blessed me. No gadget, no clothing, no car, no home improvement can come close to matching what each of these people have done for me. God has proved again that He will not forsake me.
So, on this Thanksgiving, to all I listed (and those who I may have forgot)…

Thank you.