The Giving of Thanks

Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. Every year we gather around a table with our families and sometimes friends for a time of food, football, and fellowship. We term the holiday Thanksgiving, but what are we really thankful for? At the table each year we have a huge turkey, tons and tons of different nick nacks in the form of sweet potato pie, dressing, and all the other mouth watering delicacies. My family always takes a run around the table, discussing one thing that we are thankful for, and mockingly we give my mother a hard time about it. It has annoyed me, I will be honest, but why? Don't I have so much to be thankful for? So this one's for everyone I need to thank. There may be mundane things, but sometimes they may mean the most.

First off, all thanks has to be given to Jesus. Let's get real here for a quick second, without Him there would be nothing to be thankful for. Every day I take advantage of His grace and love, and every new day He's there with arms open wide welcoming me home to be loved even more! There's a word for that: AMAZING! I know we all come to this point but lately I've really been in awe of Jesus. Trust me, I have failed lately at my relationship. But every time I think of Jesus, all I can think of is love, sacrifice, and an overwhelming sense of peace.

Next goes out to my friends. There are times I'm an awful friend. Period. I can be selfish, abrasive, and idiotic. But no matter how I act, I have some of the greatest friends in the world. Ryan Black, Jake Omey, Brad Green, Jordan Reilly, Andy Adams, Caleb Moore, just to name a few. Always there, always keeping me on my feet and in line, always looking out, and always keeping it light! Thank you guys for being such great friends!

Next and last I have to thank my family. I have the greatest family in the world. You can argue, but you will lose! My dad is the greatest guy that I know. He works harder than anyone I've witnessed, and never gives up. Always there to give advice, and show that he cares, he is a source of great encouragement to me. I get to serve with him at church starting in two weeks, and I cannot wait, very humble and thankful! My mom is next, and she is sweet. Goofy at times, but who isn't? She works super hard and has the biggest heart of anyone I know! They have raised us as best they could, and I cannot express how thankful I am for them!

One of the biggest things I'm so thankful for are the little things in life. My brother Jordan said at a testimony time Wednesday night that we are blessed with so much. He went on a missions trip to the Dominican and told a story of a girl who was thankful for a piece of paper to write the alphabet on. At this point in time, we are making list for gifts, which is fine, but are we thankful?
This is a quick little thank you from life. Look around and see the little moments, the little insignificant things around and just smile saying THANKS!!