It's Thanksgiving - your time.
I ran across a post that listed 20 Things I'm Thankful for and thought I wonder how long it'd take me to come up with my 20. Not long. Let me challenge you - quick right now - make a list of 20 things for which you are thankful for in your life right now!
Here’s My List:
- My relationship with God: Salvation, grace, mercy, forgiveness and peace.
- Lucas, Lucas, Lucas - can he take three slots.
- Melanie and her priceless devotion and the consistency with which she orders her life.
- Philip and Andrew - they are the greatest reward, so far, for our personal attempts at faithfulness and life lived with God.
- Laura and Kadee (and their parents). While Melanie is the longest and most significant influence on my life, I’m thankful my boys have counterparts who are beautiful in their lives in this same way.
- Mom and dad and the memory of parents who loved the Lord and “finished strong.”
- Brothers and a sister who love and encourage me.
- The Family of God at Spring Meadows. Five plus years in and I continue to be amazed at this church. We are not prefect but I don’t know anywhere better by a long shot. They adjust to challenges, are more loving and patient and more “attractive” than anywhere I have ever seen.
- My fellow ministers. How blessed I am to consider so many of them dear friends. And those I don’t, are those I don’t yet know. I want to spend a significant part of my life encouraging them.
- The opportunities God has provided me. I’ll say too much here. I have been blessed in this way more than I could have asked and am still amazed at every opportunity that comes my way. I was blessed to be born into my family. I was blessed to preach at too young an age at the great Hamilton church. I was simply blessed to work with the Granny White congregation. And I feel that opportunity led me to the one I ENJOY now. Just to get to speak God’s Word is a joy, but to have the opportunities I have is beyond me. This year I’m having to say “no” more, local responsibilities must be focused on with greater intensity.
- Those who follow “TheJenkinsInstitute.” In just a few months ten’s of thousands of you have visited the site and been gracious in your comments.
- The ability to laugh at the dumb things that happen to me and that I get myself into.
- My little city of Spring Hill. It is a wonderful place to live.
- Elders, and a great associate to work WITH.
- The McDougal’s gang.
- Technology that helps me connect with so many others and that I enjoy learning to use.
- Hope & Expectation and how it has been received.
- This season of life, where I am living my dream of speaking and writing.
- That I have food, clothing and shelter - am blessed with more than I need.
- Big Springs #2 in late December at Exposure Youth Camp - Brooksie’s Barn in February at FHU - Apple Barn in August at PtP!
So, how quickly can you come up with your 20?