Happy Thanksgiving

Possessed this morning of a fit of originality, I offer the following list of things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for Charles Schultz. We watched the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving show last night and I realized how good the Peanuts specials always make me feel. In times like these such small blessings are in fact huge.

I’m thankful for pie. In the restaurant scene in the movie Michael (1996), William Hurt’s character utters the great line “I like pie.” Amen. Pie is always better than cake. I don’t know why—it just is.

I’m thankful for John Grisham, David Baldacci, and J. K. Rowling. Great writers—no. Excellent storytellers—yes. They have for the past few years provided me and millions (in Rowling’s case zillions) of others with literary escapism.

I’m thankful for the people who are working hard to develop alternative sources of energy so that we can kick our addiction to oil. We need more such people. My only advice to them: hurry up!

I’m thankful for anti-perspirant. It’s a crowded world.

I’m thankful for the Turner Classic Movies network. I love old black-and-white films, especially of the film noir variety.

I’m thankful that, as of December, both of our children will be college graduates. I am proud of you, Joshua and Sara.

I’m thankful for Rev. Bill Coleman, who pointed me to heaven, for Rev. William L. Key, who gave me my first vocational shot, and for Dr. Howard P. Giddens, who provided me with the finest role model I could have ever had. With Dr. Giddens’ death this year they are now all with the Lord. They were all great men and fine ministers.

I’m thankful that Debra and I have moved on average every seven years. We have gotten rid of so much stuff each time that I shudder to think about what we would have accumulated had we stayed put. That being said, I would very much like to stay put in the next place.

I’m thankful for Mrs. Rex Askin. I have no idea who she was, but on the day I was born she presented me with my first New Testament. I know because I still have it and she wrote her name on the presentation page.

I’m thankful for Char-Broil’s Big Easy oil-free infrared turkey fryer. That thing is amazing.

I’m thankful for my wife. She knows why.

I’m thankful for the churches and schools that I have had the privilege of serving and for the church that I am about to serve.

I’m thankful for condiments, especially Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, vinegar pepper sauce (great on turnip greens—for any of my non-Southern readers who don’t know what either the sauce or the greens are, please come South sometime and give them a try!), and, of course, ketchup.

I’m thankful that the Lord has given me enough glimpses of grace that I still—and more than ever—believe.