Thanksgiving 2018

In this season of Thanksgiving, I reflect on what I am thankful for. Over the last year, I have learned to be thankful for the simple things in life. When I woke up to start a new day, I used to think that I could not wait to get back in bed that evening. I was convinced that I was wishing my life away. Now, when I wake up, I thank God for another day to live for Him and for the opportunity to glorify Him. I pray that others may see Him through me. Sadly, I fail at that many times. But there is always another day to start over through His Grace and Mercy.

As my day starts, I walk through our house, which was not long ago uninhabitable due to a flood. We have lived here for 29 years, and Jennifer and I had talked about renovating, but we could not afford it. When we had to evacuate our home due to the flood, I could not see the good in it, but only the massive loss. Now that a year has passed, all I can see are the blessings. We now have a new house in the same location. I am thankful for the insurance that did their part and provided the funds to rebuild our home. I am thankful for everyone who stepped up to help in many ways. Some even sent us things anonymously.

I walk out of the house and am immediately greeted by my faithful dog Axle. He is always glad to see me, and sad to watch me leave. He greets me when I get back home and does not hold a grudge for leaving him all day. I drive to work in a 15-year-old Tahoe, which I am very thankful for. I lost my other Tahoe in the flood, which broke my heart. I found this one a few weeks later, which is the exact year and model as the one I lost. The only difference is the color. I arrive at work, where I do a job that I love. I am thankful to be able to work while most people my age are looking to retire.

When I get home from work, I am thankful to spend time doing something I love, working on my car projects. However, I have not been able to work on the projects since I have spent most of my afternoons and days off getting Allison’s Jeep roadworthy since the flood. I am almost finished with Kermit the Jeep. I look forward to working on my projects. I am thankful for Axle's companionship. He always makes me smile. Many times, we go for a walk or a drive, which makes his day and mine.

When I come back into the house in the evening, I am thankful for three cats who show their love in ways only cats can. I know when one jumps up into my lap to take a nap, that is their way of showing love.

When the day is almost done, I am thankful to climb back into bed knowing the love of my family and the security of my home. As I go to sleep, I complete my day by giving thanks to God, lifting those I love to Him, and bringing prayer requests that I hear throughout the day. God has called me to be an intercessor, and I take that very seriously. When I first felt that call many years ago, I reached out to others whom I know are Intercessors, and I was told that it is not as easy as it sounds. I will have to go through things like health and other situations, so I will understand what others go through. I have since fought Kidney Cancer, and I still deal with Ulcerative Colitis along with other health issues. I have known complete loss and unending blessings. I have been in survival mode, and from that, I have a little understanding of PTSD. I am thankful for the health issues and the difficult times because I know that they are part of being an Intercessor.

I sleep with the assurance that God is always watching over me and those I love. For that, I am eternally grateful.