Into the Fire

Giving thanks has become a current trend. Facebook, Twitter, blog posts all state a variety of "Thank yous". It's a trend. Not a bad one certainly, but a trend nevertheless.

If we have to be reminded to give thanks, one of two things is happening. One: things are really tough at present. Two: we're too self-absorbed with the everyday of life to recognize the very air we breathe is a gift.

I'm going to give thanks here for two parents who grew up in hard times in a hard place. My mom contracted small pox as a young girl but recovered. My dad had a touch of scarlet fever as a child and recovered. They knew if they wanted anything in this life they would have to work for it. And work hard since their young lives were filled with hardship and tough times. My parents followed the American dream and were rewarded with its realizations. They were grateful to be able to work, to earn their livelihoods. For everything my dad accomplished he remained thankful and humble and generous. Mom made our home a sanctuary. A place where Dad could come home after many hours at his job and have a hot meal, Mom's delicious baked desserts, and a quiet household where he could unwind in peace. A place where I could count on her every day of my life until she died. Montavani Strings sometimes played on the Hi-Fi or the Tijuana Brass or Louis Armstrong until I commandeered it in high school and blasted rock 'n' roll from its ample speakers.

I'm thankful that I spent some years in the world – for one reason. I know intimately what it's like to be lost. I know what sin is and don't have to wonder if I did something wrong or if I really need a Savior. I rejected being "good" because it didn't make me happy. So I tried being "bad". Not realizing I could never be good on my own. Being bad didn't come easy, but I mastered it. And it reaped a great deal of pain. As it always does. Salvation didn't wipe out the pain or erase the scars, but it slowly and patiently changed my heart and gave me real life.

Our days on earth are numbered. We have so many choices to make from the age of accountability to the end of our days. One of the primary options is to find a way to stay thankful. The decision doesn't always come easily, and, frankly, I don't see it much in those who labor through life without Jesus Christ. Come to think of it, if you have no God, who do you thank for anything? Ultimately, you can be thankful for the opportunity to experience life or you can selectively pick and choose what makes you thankful. 

I'm not trending toward thanksgiving. I am Thankful.

A joyous and thankful Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Thank you, Jesus. You're all I'm livin' for.