I wasn’t going to write another post this week but felt an overflow of gratitude and wanted to share it with you. First, remember to take some time Thanksgiving Day to do what the day reminds us to do:

GIVE THANKS

Our church family will be serving a FREE meal from 11-1:00 for the community. For those unable to come, we will deliver. It started last year when I heard about some folks who needed a meal. Despite the bitter cold, it went well. Because our homeless population is not a normal population (living under a bridge in a tent village, etc) it is hard to reach them. I heard of one just yesterday (Tuesday) who lives in the woods and unless he wants you to find him you won’t. I’d sure like to find out where he is and take a meal to him. But the person I was talking to does and will deliver it for us. We have another who lives in a camper with no heat or electricity and “watches over” a house which has been condemned because of flooding. So many hurting & broken people. So many different stories.

I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams. I’m not rolling in dough. I have no retirement. No SS. No big 403(b). I don’t live in a mansion. I choose not to wear fancy clothes. I drive a dependable truck. I serve a simple church with a simple building which is too small, but we choose to not rack up debt.  We choose to serve our community as much as possible. We choose to love.  I would not want to be anywhere else for all the money in the world.

I have a wife whom I love and have been married to for 42 1/2 years. I have two fantastic daughters, a son-in-law, and a one-of-a-kind grandson who lights up my world.

I have friends I have made down through the years. Doug, a college classmate. Jim, a cycling buddy and a true friend whom I still get together with. Ron & Joyce, older (than me) friends whom I tolerate since they like the St. Louis Cardinals. And friends I have made in the 10 years here whom I count as the dearest of all. I work with Diana and Ryan, the two best staff people I have known and worked with. I have online friends whom I have never met in person but feel a connection with.

Above all…I have Jesus. My life. My all. My reason.

Yes…I am blessed. “And I thank You, Father, for giving me blessings beyond counting. May my life be one of thanksgiving to You in every way, every day.”