Sometimes we complain about what we don’t have.  I’ve done it, too, but that doesn’t make it right.  So I decided to try to be more thankful, not only for what I have to be thankful for, but what I DON’T have, to be thankful for.  I had terminal cancer back in 1993, and you can bet I’m thankful I don’t have THAT anymore.  So, I’m thankful for…..

My health.  Yeah, I’m getting older, and some of my friends are really slowing down, and not feeling good.  I can still ride my motorcycles, and do.  And while I don’t feel 30 anymore, I’m thankful for still being mobile and having all my limbs working, which is more than some of my friends have, so I’m VERY thankful.

I’m thankful for a home and a roof over my head.  You know, when I was in Africa, I went to a lot of places where “homes” had dirt floors, openings in the “walls” without windows to keep the bugs out, and believe it or not, NO roof to keep the rain out.  And believe me, the poorest person in America is a King or Queen in comparison.  Yes, there were a few nice homes, but “nice” there were a long way from “nice” HERE.  A roof makes a home there “nice”.  And here, we take a roof for granted.  No more of that for me, I’m thankful for a roof, and windows.

Heating and cooling.  Many places in Africa don’t have electricity, let alone, air conditioning.  I’m VERY thankful for heating and air conditioning. And for an electric bill each month to pay.  Think of NOT having electricity. You might still be in a cave, cooking over an open fire. Not much fun, having to hunt for your meals.  I like tacos, but don’t really know where they live to go hunt for them.  I’m thankful to be able to go buy the food I want.  Some people can’t, because they can’t afford it.  Something ELSE to be thankful for.

Somehow, I’ve got spoiled by having a vehicle to drive, instead of having to walk everywhere.  Back in the “good ole days”, people had to walk, or ride a horse or donkey, or elephant, or tortoise, or water buffalo.  I like my nice, comfortable car.  Seems we take these things for granted sometimes. I know I’m guilty of doing that.

I’m thankful for family and friends.  Maybe I don’t express my appreciation often enough.  Not everyone has a close friend they can go to when they’re feeling down.  Life can get pretty depressing and lonely at times, especially when you’re alone.  And there are people who have mates who STILL feel alone, and that’s no fun, either.  If you’re blessed enough to have a special someone that you love to be with, that’s a blessing without comparison.  No amount of money in the world could make up for that.  If you don’t, I pray you will find that special someone soon.

Anyone out there thankful to have a job?  Up till a couple years ago, I never gave much thought about having a job, being I’m retired, but believe it or not, people still want to work and pay their own way.  The current political administration seems to want everyone to go on welfare and depend on the government for everything.  That, my friends, totally kills confidence, morale, the joy of accomplishment for a job well done, and motivation to excel.  So I’m thankful for those who want to work and get ahead.  You know, God instilled us with a desire to work.  He didn’t create us “lazy”.  Society has made people lazy.  We have so many “time saving” things: stoves, refrigerators, cars, microwave ovens, phones, TVs, computers, that we no longer as a society could no longer survive without these conveniences.  Well, I could, because I’m “old school”, but still, I wouldn’t want to unless it was absolutely necessary.

I’m thankful to have a Bible.  Actually I have many.  Just a few hundred years ago,  William Tyndale was burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English so the average person could have access to it.  Are YOU thankful for his sacrifice, so YOU can read the Bible?  Let me tell you what; I’M sure thankful!  Think of what your life would be like today without access to the Bible!  You wouldn’t be able to read the Gospel, and learn about God’s love for you.  You’d have to go listen to someone at church (if THEY had a Bible) tell you what THEY thought it said, instead of reading it for yourself, and making your own decision.  I guess for all I’m thankful for in life, I’m most thankful for my Bible, and for the mercy of God that allows me to have that Bible.  Many countries in the world yet today have outlawed the Holy Bible.  Don’t take having access to God’s Word for granted, because MANY have died to make that possible for you.

I’m thankful for being able to go to church to worship God.  Worship starts at home, I just go there to continue my praise and worship, and to go preach and encourage those coming there.  I’m SO thankful for God’s Holy Spirit given us who are seeking Him.  Have you thanked God today for His Holy Spirit?  We need to, EVERY DAY!  Without God’s mercy and the sacrifice Christ Jesus made for us, we have NO hope of salvation whatsoever.  Keeping laws and commandments offers us no salvation, only the blood of Jesus does.  I’m SO thankful that Christ Jesus didn’t decide to skip the cross and let us try to save ourselves.  I’m overwhelmed at His love.  It’s so amazing that He would go through so much agony to save a wretch like me.  Being “thankful” for what He has done for me is the understatement of the century.

How about YOU?  Is there something YOU are thankful for today?