Thankful for…

27. November 2008 by BruceSmith.

This is one of my favorite times of year.  I have made it a habit in recent years to actually highlight the Thanksgiving season rather than skip over it and run on to Christmas.  In our consumer, “me”-driven society I have found it helpful to be really intentional about spending time pondering the significance of giving thanks.  So today, I figure I will highlight just a few of the things I am thankful for, and hopefully you will gain a bit of inspiration for getting your own thanks on.First off, against all my ranting and pessimism for this week, a week in which I turned 40, I am glad to be 40.  I am not glad, mind you, that I have officially entered my 4th decade of being, rather I am thankful that I did not expire at 39.  Let me explain.Just one day before my birthday I had a little scare which could have put the period on my short life.  As I was preparing for a road trip with the family and bringing my dogs out to the country where they are boarded when we travel, and driving on a two-lane narrow highway, my SUV went batty.  Just as I was pulling out onto the highway, near a very sharp turn, and unable to see oncoming traffic, my vehicle went dead.  It just totally, and without warning, cut off.  I lost steering, brakes, everything.  With deep ditches on either side of me and another very sharp turn just about 100 feet ahead I had no idea what to do next.  If I were to make it to the turn, where I could not see oncoming traffic, who knows what awaited me.  About 50 feet ahead I noticed, between two deep ditches, a narrow dirt driveway that led into a field.  As strong as I could, I grabbed the wheel and pulled hard left.  With about a foot to spare, thankfully, I rolled safely into the driveway, missing the ditch, and missing the oncoming traffic which was coming around the turn at 50 mph.  So, I am thankful, again, to be 40, in light of the near miss at 39 and 364 days.I am also thankful to be visiting my sister, brother-in-law, and the nephews today.  It has been a joy to play with the little ones.  There is so much wonder in the eyes, actions, and jibberish of a toddler!  Its is truly remarkable.I am thankful also to be enjoying my three kids whose busy lives increasingly keep them occupied as they get older and spend more time away from the house… more than I would like.   I am thankful that they each have found the grace of God and a relationship with Him.  That is everything.I am thankful to be able-bodied, for the most part, and to be able to enjoy so much of what life offers.More than anything, I am thankful that despite all of my failings, misgivings, lack of faith, wavering trust, and the ugliness of my sin, I have been extended the undeserved and matchless grace of God.  Without this I would be ruined.  I hope and pray you are all enjoying this marvelous holiday and taking more than a few moments to remind yourself of the goodness in your life. Thanks be to God.Grace and Peace,Bruce Smithoptimuslife.org 

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