Thanksgiving is a time for Christians to do what we should already be doing… thanking God every day for the blessings that surround us. It can be hard to do, especially in tough times. We need to see even the small things God and Christ Jesus inject into our lives to comfort, encourage, and even cheer us on.

From a Stephen Ministry perspective, we have a lot to be thankful for, as this graphic (provided by St. Louis) depicts:

I am thankful for this Greater Cincinnati team. I have told my wife how much joy it gives me to meet with all of you every two months. There’s always an encouraging, smiling face across the room. There’s incredibly heartfelt testimony about the impact of our ministry that is shared. There are lives that are changed by each and every one of you, and that is absolutely incredible to be a part of.

I have been blessed with many gifts, not the least of which are the IT skills necessary to feed, clothe, and keep my family warm as we get into my favorite season of the year (that’s sarcasm by the way). I have always wanted to use these skills for something more meaningful than just making a business more profitable. I felt so amazingly encouraged by the ability to share these gifts through the website development, Zoom conferencing, and other IT functions for this team.

But it has been a tough year, as I’m sure it has been for many of you. My wife suffered a heart attack in July. I got demoted at work in August. For the first time in my life, I need high blood pressure medication. My back has decided it wishes to feel like it’s 100 years old. It can be easy to fall in the deceiver’s trap of feeling like thankfulness should be the last thing I feel. But it can’t be. I have to remind myself of the place my Savior goes to prepare for me, and remember His sacrifice, His promises, and even every little thing He puts in my path to remind me of His love.

So I encourage you to find Him in even the little things, and thank Him for it. Of course there’s that REALLY BIG thing He did for us on the cross. Advent season starts in just a few days, and I can’t be thankful enough for the celebration of His coming into the world. There’s no greater King than one that is willing to sit and eat beside you. To break bread with you, and to give His life for His people.

I can think of no greater thing to be thankful for, both now, this Thanksgiving season, and every single day of my life.

Blessings,