Each year we have a tradition where each person in our family writes out what they are thankful for and then during breakfast we read them out loud to everyone. We hem and haw about it and make fun of each other, but when it comes down to it…we love it.

The staples on this Thanksgiving morning include pajama-wearing, egg casserole-eating, and just an overall time to hang out relaxing before the firestorm takes place for the dinner prep.

My thankful list this year is short and sweet:

I’m thankful that God is not a fad. He reinstates His love for me daily and reminds me that there is more out there. I’m grateful that He’s using me as an instrument of faith, hope, and love in my family…my city…and beyond. I am thankful that He is jealous for me and that His jealously demands my affection. I’m thankful that I’ve discovered that I would rather be a fool for Christ than straight-laced for the crowd.

I am thankful for my wife Allison, who knows me in the ways I want to be known. I’m grateful for her pure heart that balances out my little black lump of chest-coal. I’m thankful that she found a job this year that fits her well that she enjoys, and I’m thankful that I have her as a “pastor’s wife”. Oh, and I’m really thankful that she is freaking smoking hot.

I’m truly thankful for my little crazy offspring Ava Beans. I’m grateful that the “terrible twos” have been way more fun and joy-filled than the “ones”. I love her little sense of humor and the fact that my special brand of goofy didn’t fall far from the tree. I’m especially thankful for the times when we get to hang out by ourselves and she wants me to sing to her, she wants me to draw with her, she wants me to watch cartoons with her, and she wants to sit on my lap while I’m working…you couldn’t ask for a better side-kick.

I’m thankful for my family who I can count on. I’m grateful that they are naturally my number one choice for people to hang out with. I’m thankful that I realized I’m stuck with these people for a while and I had better make the most of it.

I’m thankful for my work as a pastor and the Vineyard Westside that authentically has a heart to make a difference in the world. I am grateful that a strange chain of events landed me in a paid position that is nothing less than perfect for me…extremely difficult and perfect.

I’m thankful for my men’s group and the transforming of minds that takes place there. I am grateful for the group of friends, and better yet, brothers in Christ that can come together weekly to become more like Jesus and less like themselves.

I’m thankful for the conviction of God’s beautiful Holy Spirit who gently restores me and points me towards a better way. I’m grateful that this Spirit doesn’t kick me when I’m down, but rather picks me up and dusts me off showing me a new option. I love that God’s tone of voice is one of gentleness and patience and love.

Say, why don't you post a comment, subscribe via RSS, or follow me on twitter?