While as a Jesus follower, the attitude of gratitude is an everyday thing, on this official Thanksgiving day I have a long tradition of thinking more deeply of those things I’m thankful for.

Doing a lot of marriage and relationship counseling gives me a context for deep gratitude for Sherry’s love for me. It constantly amazes me that she is so giving, so supportive, so open, so . . . Sherry!

I was just with Donn, Susan and Lizzie (her personality has moved her from Elizabeth). Donn, Lizzie, and I went to the Chief’s game on Sunday. Seeing the game in the warm fall weather with a happy three year old was an outstanding experience. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, so the pictures (here) are from my cell phone. Our conversations went deep in the short time I was there. I am so thankful for their solid marriage, a healthy Elizabeth after her so perilous first days in intensive care after aspirating meconium, for strong relationship with them. 

We will head over to Hermiston later this morning to spend the holiday with David, Samantha, Nicole and Joy and Sam’s family. We are very thankful that he has his  job at Safeway in Pendleton. Losing his job early this summer left us looking at the reality of really tight times. I see the freezing rain advisory for the area tomorrow and am a bit nervous!

I find that am especially thankful for Cyndee since she is a latter addition to our family. She was home for 10 days at the beginning of the month and we had good Poppa-Daughter times.

The story of Ruth is gripping. I want to be like Boaz, the man of great noble character which means he revels in the LORD, sees “worthless” people, reaches to bless them even when that’s costly to him. He is thankful for Ruth’s request for his help, counting it a great kindness to him (3:10).  To see the strongest power of grace means going into the deepest places of pain. I get to do that. I am so grateful for the transforming power of grace.

Yesterday I was working with a fellow who is early in a very promising relationship. I have this theory of how a relationship should progress that guides my advising. As we talked, I realized that my “paradigmatic” relationship began almost exactly 20 years ago. I prayed with gratitude for them as I challenged the fellow if my office.

Technology is a happymaking too. When we were in the Philippines 40 years ago, the only contact was letters that routinely took a month to go round trip. High tech was a cassette recording of the boys. Now Skype allows me to see my friends who are half a world away . . . and it’s free!

Here’s a cute story I read:

Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely lady with golden hair; I envied her – she seemed so happy and full of joy. Then she rose to leave and I saw her hobble down the aisle; she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a silent prayer I said, Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet – the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm; seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm; I said, “It’s nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find”. He turned and said, “Oh, thank you sir”, then I saw that he was blind. I silently prayed again, Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, and the world is mine.

Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue. He stood and watched the other children play. It seemed he knew not what to do, so I stopped a moment and said, “Why don’t you join the others, dear?” He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear. I silently prayed, Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, and the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I want to go; with eyes to see the sunsets glow, with ears to hear what I would know, I am blessed. The world is mine; Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

Blessed Thanks giving!