I feel privileged to share with you my reasons for giving thanks to God this year.
I’m thankful to be alive. I’ve outlived my father by nearly a decade. He had a series of heart attacks beginning at age 55 and died at 65. That leads to the reason for my longevity–good health. I’m grateful to God for years of good medical care from physicians, many nearby, one a long way off. All of the medications, vitamins, and supplements have kept me strong and healthy. In order to keep that health, I just now returned from one of my regular 40-minute walks. I’m grateful to God for good health and a strong body.
I’m also grateful to God for challenges to keep me busy for Him. One challenge is my writing Transforming Tragedy: How Job’s Recovery Can Provide Hope for Yours. I’m now preparing a new proposal for my agent to send around the first of the year to a few publishers who have indicated an interest . In order to get the message God has given me onto the page, I’ve had a lot to learn. I’ve had a lot of help from writers conferences, reading, and editors. The finished product is slowly taking shape. As I read many other books on Job, I’m struck again with how unique will be my offering to the hurting public. I’ve also begun a new challenge, joining a training program for public speaking. Although I’ve preached and taught for over 40 years, I now know I also have a lot to learn about how to present God’s message with the most impact. I’m grateful for all I’m learning.
Finally, with a loving wife of over 52 years, four children, eight grandchildren, and a great granddaughter, I’m grateful to God for my family.
This Thanksgiving season, for what are you thanking God?
