Beside Still Waters Ministries

My friend Alicia issued this challenge to post 10 things we are thankful for each of the last 7 days, concluding with today. I’m a loser and forgot about it until today, and I hope I don’t miss the spirit of her challenge if I make it only 7 things, one for each day, that are heartfelt and complete. I’d rather group things together, instead of breaking them up just to meet the proper number.

“On your feet now–applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. Know this: God is God and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: ‘Thank you!’ Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.” Psalms 100 (The Message)

I’m thankful for…
1. God. God loving me, God helping me, God through the Holy Spirit teaching me, God’s son Jesus saving me, God providing for me, God’s plan for me, God’s Word the guides me, and for just being God in my life. I am nothing without you, and my life would have no purpose.

2. My family. Sometimes certain family members drive me crazy, but I am still thankful for all of them. Mom for letting me live with you for such low rent and being there for me all the time, Dad for fixing my car and being a great earthly example of God the Father’s love, Mammy for her joyful spirit and being someone I can talk to about anything, Greg for being a good big brother and sharing our love for NASCAR, Beth for sharing in a love of classical and folk music and caring in your own unique way, and my nephew Bradley for helping me get in touch with my inner child and having fun together. I’m also thankful for my many aunts and uncles, and I’m glad that we have been trying to get together a few times a year lately so that it isn’t just at funerals that we see each other.

3. My babies, Samantha and Lilly. I don’t know what I’d do without your unconditional love and affection. What is life like without a purring cat next to or on top of me when I go to sleep?

4. My friends from many different times in my life, and they are much better friends to me than I am to them. The oldest friends of all are from Eastwood Church of the Brethren, where I grew up going to church so most of them have known me since I was in diapers, I’m especially grateful for the Abes, the Griffiths, the Beatys, Linda’s Sunday School class, and Pastor Paul from more recent years there. Kara, Alicia, Cindy, Sarah, Mandee, Dave, Nona, and Martina from school days, you are the long-term friends that however long it has been since we’ve talked it is like we pick up where we left off. From the college days – Jodi, Melanie, Harvey, Amanda, Dwayne, Heidi, the BC Music Department (faculty and students) from ’93-’97, Pinion Players from ’93-’97, the MacPhails, Vince, and so many other dear people. I’ve lost track of friends from Seminary, but they did mean a lot to me during that trying time – Alexa, Bonnie, Wendy M., Heidi, Tom, Moses, and my small group from Grace Covenant Church. Friends from Faith Church in Twinsburg – Molly, the Todds, the Denges, the Mathews, the Albertas, the Morrisons, Theresa, the Loughleys, the Springers, and the MYF, I miss you all. Jonathan, Pam, and Karen at Aldersgate Renewal Ministries, you have blessed me so much. Cheryl, Mike, Cindy, Mindy, Sally, Linda, Sheri, Mary Beth, and the rest of my co-workers that put up with me on a daily basis (especially in tax season when we see each other more than our families!). My Bible Study group, though we are having a tough time getting together lately – Wendy G., MJ, Pam, Rebecca, and Deb, you’ve helped me grow a lot these last couple of years. Many friends from Emmaus and Chrysalis that I can’t even begin to name. My newest friends at Faith Church in Brimfield – Curt, Michelle, Chris, Seb, David, and the Task Force, you all have become a great church family. I know there are so many more people that I am somehow leaving out, and one of the things that I seemed to be blessed with (though it sometimes feels like a curse) is that once I know someone well I never forget them. It may seem like I have forgotten you because I can’t seem to get over my feeling bad about not having kept up with you, but I honestly think of you often, pray for you, and wonder what has happened with you and your life.

5. The internet and the blogosphere. While probably a bit false, it is so nice to feel connected with so many people in the world that I admire and have common interests. I have learned so much about how to live out my faith and be a better worship leader through all the great resources on the internet (see my blogroll and Links page). I wish you existed like you do now when I was in seminary, it probably would have helped me with some really dark times to not feel so disconnected and lonely – but I’m sure that God meant that time to be that way so that I would draw closer to Him to get to be where I am now.

6. My iPod, Kurzweil keyboard, Q cellphone, digital camera, telescope, PC desktop, Ford Escape, and Mac laptop. These are just things, but they are things that 5 or 6 years ago I never would have imagined to be able to have. I’m truly blessed such that I have been pretty stumped as to what to tell my family to get me for Christmas. How about finding me a boyfriend? Too bad you can’t buy one of those at Amazon.com. LOL

7. Last, but certainly not least, my Compassion International child Bridget. I’ve so enjoyed her letters, though I need to get better about writing her back. Mostly it is just a blessing to know that I am making a difference in her life, and I haven’t missed the money each month one bit. I hope I get to meet her someday. Thank you, God, for the lessons in giving that I’ve learned this year.