Things I'm Thankful For

With thanksgiving just a week away, I've been reflecting recently on a few of the things that I'm thankful for. Being that this is merely a snapshot of what has been on my mind lately, this list is in no way exhaustive. With that being said, here goes:

-I'm thankful for a wonderful, loving, supportive wife. She is, besides being all of those things, my best friend. I can never tell her enough how much she means to me.

-I'm thankful for an incredible home life. I don't know many men who would honestly feel that way if their mother-in-law lived with them. My situation, I suppose, is unique. It is so nice to have a great relationship not only with Stephanie, but with Moshi, as well. We, as a family, are truly blessed.

-I'm thankful for being raised in a Christian home; for parents who loved me enough to correct me when I did wrong. I didn't always appreciate their chastening when I was younger, but today I praise God for it. They never punished me to the point of abuse or exasperation, but they always lovingly disciplined me and pointed me in the right direction. I am who I am today because of the way I was raised.

-I'm thankful for all of the bad, sad, painful and hurtful experiences I've gone through in my life. In nearly every situation, I've seen God work all things for my good. Even in those rare instances where I've yet to see God's hand at work, I know that in the end He will work His will in my life and I shall come forth as gold (see the book of Job). God has been so faithful in the things that I can understand that I know I can trust Him with the things that I can't understand.

-I'm thankful to be pastoring a church that is truly a family. It is such a blessing to be a part of this body of believers. Like any family, we sometimes weather storms. God's love and our love for Him, however, always carries us through the tough times and makes us stronger.

-I'm thankful for a church that has not been afraid to try new things. The AWANA ministry that we've just begun was a bold step of faith, and I believe God will bless EFBC for our renewed commitment to reach people for Jesus.

-I'm thankful for a church family that has been forgiving and longsuffering. It's inevitable that even the most successful pastors are going to have their share of failures. The only ministers who never fail are the ones who never attempt to do anything for the Lord. Since I've been in the ministry, I've enjoyed some amazing successes and I've also presided over some monumental disasters. In the last four years, Eulaton First Baptist Church has stood by me even when I've made mistakes and experienced failure. Although things are going pretty well right now, there will no doubt come a day in the near future when I will mess something up again. When that happens, it's nice to know that my church family will bear with me through my blunders.

-And finally, if I had to choose the one thing I am MOST thankful for, it would have to be this: the grace of God. I don't know why Almighty God would love me so much that He would send His only Son to die for me on an old rugged cross. I am so undeserving of God's grace. I'll never get over what Jesus did for me when He spilled His blood so that I could stand before God spotless and unashamed. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. That God could love and save a dead dog such as me, that is what I am truly MOST thankful for.

Bro. Shane

(Scripture quoted above is from the New International Version of the Holy Bible)