Thanksgiving 2006

Gratitude and giving crowds out discouragement


During this Thanksgiving and Christmas season I find myself thinking more about people than things. Family and friends of the present and past, blessings of the year and opportunities to give and serve.

Among the family and friends both past and present whom I am remembering include my four grandparents Nanny and Pappy Herr and Nanny and Pappy Rapp, I miss each of you so much and can't wait to talk to you again in heaven. My mom who I pray for daily that she will receive Christ and my dad who died in 2003. Brother Bill and his family, though you are far away, you will always be close to my heart. For the mother of my two children, Kim. My son Neil and daughter Lydia, may God richly bless both of you and I thank God every day for the miracle of having two precious children. I thank God for my work, and for Pete and his friendship. My friends at the Nazarene church and Pastor Craig, Dwight and Sharon from Reading Dove. I am grateful for everyone, both strangers and friends who have prayed for me and my family during the past several years. I remember Larry and Raedella and the friends from Charlotte Street Mennonite church in Lancaster. Thank you for praying for me and my salvation and for always loving me for who I was and not judging me for my sinful ways. Thank you Jane and Gene for your unconditional love and support. You will never know the depth of my gratitude for both of you for being there for me. I remember my friends from Lancaster, Scott and Roger my neighbors, Jay and Carolyn from Bavarian Pretzel, and my buddies Rich, Joe, and Big Jim and Jan.

There are so many other friends and family from my childhood and time growing up in Strasburg, Jerre and Jane, the cabin gang, Uncle Dave, Uncle Jerry and Aunt Ida, and all my cousins, especially Scott. I remember all the family reunions. My first real adult friend, Bill Held. Thank you Cindy for your love and prayers and all the IMs. And Lee for your prayers and for your encouragement these past couple years and for the Prayer of Jabez. Miracles happen! I am grateful for Herb McCollum for his kindness and devotion to helping me with my hearing aids. For all the people who have cared for me and my family over the years, Dr. Atwell, Dr. Kotula, Dr. Kimmel, Dr. Wentz. Thank you Rose for being there for the birth of both Neil and Lydia. Thanks Rick for listening and saying just what I needed to hear.

This is from the book Springs in the Valley by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman..."There is a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan kept his seeds ready to be sown in the human heart, and on finding the seeds of discouragement more numerous than others, learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he reluctantly admitted that there was one place in which he could never get them to thrive. 'And where is that?' asked the man. Satan replied sadly, 'In the heart of a grateful man.' "

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said: "It is more blessed to give then to receive" (Acts 20:35). So as we remember friends and family let us also show our love and gratitude by giving of ourselves, our love, our time, and our prayers to help those less fortunate. It is blessed to give out of gratitude. It crowds out discouragement.