I don’t know about you, but for me there are certain moments in a year that lend themselves to reflection. Generally, I take some time each January to reflect on the previous calendar year. Some years are better than others, and some years are more in-depth than others. Another time of reflection is around my birthday; with it being in August, it serves as a good mid-year (plus a month or two) evaluation point to keep myself on track for the rest of the year. This year I decided to do something a little different for my birthday reflections… I decided to write out a list of what I am grateful for…

Grateful: warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful.

I don’t ever want to lose my deep appreciation for the people and things that have molded me and have gotten me to this point in my life. Since I just celebrated my 30th birthday, I decided to make a list of 30 things I am thankful for. These are not all necessarily in order of importance, and some of these may sound silly and random to you, while others will be serious. Some will come with more explanation, and for others, no explanation is needed.

So here we go… I am thankful for:

  1. My relationship with Jesus Christ, and as the hymn says, that He saved a wretch like me.
  2. My wife, Amy. She never ceases to amaze, encourage, and challenge me.
  3. My little ones, Reagan, Cole, and Isaac. They are a constant joy (and entertainment).
  4. My parents, Steve and Sharon – no explanation needed.
  5. My brothers, Greg and Ben – again, no explanation needed.
  6. My in-laws, Carey, Vannie, and Staci (and Kenny J) – for embracing me as a son and (little) brother.
  7. Church Alive International and my church family – for allowing me to be me.
  8. My pastors, Pastors Carey and Vannie – for giving me a chance; I am grateful beyond words.
  9. The students & leaders in Pursuit Student Ministries – You hold a special place in my heart and always will.
  10. My country, the United States of America – Though it has flaws, there is still no place like it!
  11. My nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, far and wide.
  12. My friends.
  13. My upbringing – It was loads of fun and at times bumpy, but it has shaped who I am today.
  14. My jobs – for how God uses them to provide for my family.
  15. My travels – for taking me to see places like Costa Rica, Mexico, and other lands with my own eyes, and for the opportunity to have lived not only in several different states but also in Malaysia as a child.
  16. The things I use daily – cars, house, clothes… I am blessed beyond measure!
  17. Technology.
  18. Social media – for helping me stay connected with so many people.
  19. Hobbies like golf and basketball – for allowing me to have fun and enjoy life.
  20. Conferences like Seeds (for inspiring me with the level of excellence you display in a church) and Forward (for inspiring me by bringing together 13,000 young people in one arena to seek after God).
  21. St. Louis and all it has to offer – the Cardinals, Ted Drewes, and QT.
  22. Roanoke and all it has to offer – the “Star,” the breathtaking mountains, and one of the only airports I’ve ever been to that I can get from the front door to the gate in less than 10 minutes.
  23. Ice cream – enough said.
  24. Vacations – for the chance to unwind, relax, and re-prioritize what really matters when life gets too cluttered.
  25. Podcasts – for the ability to listen to so many other pastors and leaders.
  26. Unique sights I have seen with my eyes – The sea of people at a crusade in India will forever be stamped in my visual archive…The police station converted to hotel that I stayed in with bullet holes all up the side left me speechless.
  27. Photos – for capturing moments that I can look back upon for the rest of my life to remember special moments on the journey.
  28. Laughter – It does my heart good, and it’s contagious… I mean, who can resist joining in with a little baby’s incessant giggling?
  29. Memories – For example, I am thankful for the time I overcame my fear and went down the slide in a Malaysian hotel… and for the time a certain parent yelled from inside an enclosed car in a sudden outburst at another driver for taking a parking spot (Sorry, Dad, that is a vacation classic).
  30. The future – I have no idea what the next 30 years will look like, but God has given me a future and a hope. And for that, I am excited!

 

Here’s to the next 30!!!

Once you get going, it is really impossible to list all of the things we have to thank God for. But now it’s your turn. My challenge to you is to put together your own list. What are you thankful for?

#30for30thanks

P.S. – Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and share in my journey of gratitude!