“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (James 1:17) We live in a time of constant news reports and much of what we hear seems to be a constant flood of negative stories. Like never before, our lives have become a cesspool of bad news as the voices in this world continually vie for our mind. The season of Thanksgiving gives us a national ‘reset’ to show appreciation for the things we should think upon.
There are the common things we all give thanks for, such as family and health. Therefore, in this devotion I would like to encourage you to give thanks for many of the things that are easy to forget and even easier to overlook. For me, these offerings of thanks are present in my mind and heart many times each year.
I am thankful for school classmates. The classes surrounding my high school years, 1977-1983, were some of the greatest. It was a time when we actually cared for one another, without the racial ranker and division we see today. And yes, we had democratic and republican presidents, but we acted together as Americans. In fact, I have found that I can call up any of those classmates and they would be available for help at the drop of a hat. Time has separated us, but the friendships are like slow waters in a deep river.
I’m thankful for my old friend Scotty Daniels, who sat with me for many nights on his patio overlooking Archusa Reservoir while teaching me to play guitar. Those free lessons resulted in me be given the opportunity to play and sing to congregations in several states—proclaiming the marvelous beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I’ll never forget. I’m thankful for Coach Gary Gore, who took an undisciplined young man and taught him the value of disciplined repetition in order to build fundamentals so he could be his best in unexpected situations. Those qualities have helped me greatly with the constant change of ministry demands where a solid foundation is essential.
I’m thankful Clay Stewart who took me into his secret chamber of prayer and let me see first hand what the heart of an intercessor looks like. He is in heaven now, but I can still hear his voice and feel his heart as he cried out for the salvation of souls. I’m thankful to Cindy Baxley, who has given me the opportunity to encourage others with this weekly devotion the past couple of years. Though various trials have come her way, she has always been a friend with a big heart.
I could easily write and give forty more thanks, but space will not allow me to speak of Sandra Mosley, Francis Hutchinson, or Mr. Tom Scott. And to Charles and Lora Shepherd, who blessed me beyond measure by giving their oldest daughter to me in marriage. Oh, let us lay aside the cynicism of this world. Like never before, let us … Give Thanks!
