7 Things I’m Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Today, we will be stuffed with thanksgiving wishes from every avenue of social media, email, and text. We will hear these wishes on the radio. We will hear them from our friends. Some will get tired of the constant thanksgiving wishes, and others will pipe in on the thanksgiving wishes melody, but what if all the thanksgiving wishes actually motivated us to pause for a moment and simply give thanks today? This would be a life changer, and that is why I am typing this record. As a Child of God, Husband, and Preacher, I would like to take a moment to go on the record and give thanks for 7 things that I never want to take for granted. The seven things I’m Thankful for this Thanksgiving are as follows: 

1. I’m thankful for salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, for without it I would be lost and undone in my sin and on my way to hell. God has been so good to save a sinner like me! I need to give the Gospel out more often, more effectively, and with more compassion! 

2. I’m thankful for answered prayer, and the opportunity to have a relationship with the Lord through His Holy Word, for daily, “He walks with me, and He talks with me.” Wow! A living and loving Saviour that daily desires communication; Who is eager to speak and listen! Recently, we have had many awesome answers to prayer. One of the biggest this year has been the answer of Rachel being with child. Praise the Lord…if only I really understood how important walking with God really is…I need to give more quality time to the Lord in my walk with Him! 

3. I’m thankful for the privilege to be married to the sweetest, godliest, and submissive lady I know, Rachel E. Smith! She continues to strengthen her walk with the Lord, and desires to become a greater example of a Proverbs 31 woman. I’m so blessed. I need to give her more love and more devotion! 

4. I’m thankful for family! One of the greatest non-spiritual, non-financial blessings that Rachel and I have received recently (and numerous times over the years) has been those precious moments where the gift of laughter, play, and time has been cherished between family members on either side. Though not spiritual blessings, we have been refreshed and encouraged for our spiritual endeavors, and though not financial blessings, we consider the times with family of more value than any amount of gold or silver. Rachel and I are excited to be adding a member to our family, by the grace of God, in the upcoming new year! I need to give more time and thought to family! 

5. I’m thankful for church family! Crossroads Baptist Church is a wonderful body of believers. Year after year, my excitement escalates to gather with this growing body of believers 3-4 times a week. At Crossroads, people have been added to the church (more coming), souls have been saved and baptized (more coming), individuals and families are growing in the Lord, and our faith is increasing in many ways! I love how our church has a family atmosphere, spiritually, and I’m so excited over the love of Christ everyone manifests. I take great joy as I think about all God has done, and I have an eager anticipation that is building over the thought of living together as the Church of Jesus Christ that is basking in the great and mighty things of God! I need to give more time, talents, treasures, and testimony to the family of God and work of God at Crossroads Baptist Church! 

6. I’m thankful for everything that’s out of my control, but is in God’s control. There is great comfort and rest in placing my mind, emotions and will into God’s ever-caring and unchanging hands. I rest my health, every breath, every heart beat, the state of the church, the state of the union, the state of the world, the choices others make in my family, church, country and world (that are out of my control), etc. - I rest it all in God’s easy yoke. I need to give more allowance for God’s peace and rest to take control in what I can’t control! 

7. Last, but certainly not least, I’m thankful for the hard times. Sometimes, we’re all impacted by the same “hard time,” and, at other times, we can face different “hard times,” but for each “hard time” there’s a lesson to learn about God and an opportunity to come forth as gold. We must always remember that “hard times” don’t have to be so “hard” as we keep our eyes on the Lord and rest completely in Him! I need to give more acceptance that this is the will of God as I face the “hard times” of my life! 

In conclusion, I’m sure you noticed the thanks at the start of each point and the purpose to give at the end of each point. May we not only give thanks with our lips, but may we also purpose to give something in return, because this is how true gratitude is revealed. 

God bless you, Pastor Justyn Smith