Thankfulness

I am thankful for God the Father, who created and preserves all things, knit me together in my mother’s womb, provides for me, and defends me, all out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me.

I am thankful for God the Son, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; He became sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Him and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

I am thankful for God the Holy Spirit, who called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; He daily leads me to Christ, reminds me of my baptism into His death and resurrection, and forgives my sin.

I am thankful for Lori, my beautiful bride, the love of my life, my soul mate, my better half, my “rib,” the mother of our children, and the woman I am pleased to grow old with.

I am thankful for Zachary, Caleb, Michael, and Adam, gifts from God whom I am privileged to be raising, caring for, and bringing up in Christ.

I am thankful for my parents, who continue to be godly examples of our heavenly Father’s love, and my siblings, who are wonderful companions on this earthly pilgrimage to our true homeland.

I am thankful for the saints at Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, whom the Lord has given me to serve with His holy Word and blessed Sacraments, and for their support, friendship, faithfulness to the Gospel, and love for one another.

I am thankful for my forefathers in the faith, those who modeled Christ to me in childhood, those who continue to model Christ to me, my synod’s faithfulness to Christ and His Word, my father confessors, my brothers in the ministry, and every sheep of the Good Shepherd.

I am thankful for good friends, their companionship, honesty, integrity, forgiveness, strength, humor, and faith.

I am thankful for this country, its freedoms, those who gave their lives in defense of its freedom, those who serve in the armed forces, those who serve in our communities, and all who are fighting for limited, constitutional government.

I am thankful for every blessing of body and soul, good gifts from the Triune God who loves us all in Christ.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,

for His steadfast love endures forever!”

Happy Thanksgiving!