I have been tagged by Rachel for a meme on five things that I am thankful for.  This meme was started by John over at Smulo Space.  The biggest issue I have is trying limit the list to five and secondly to decide which five are any more important than the others.

1.  I am thankful that I have a God who is loving enough to make it possible for someone like me to (1) be forgiven and (2) be useful to him.   I know exactly what Paul was talking about when he said that he was the greatest of sinners.  That was me.   I am thankful that he loved me enough to come to the earth in Jesus Christ to teach me how to live and pay a debt that I couldn’t.   I am also thankful that he continues to lead, guide and speak to me daily through the Spirit.  Our God is an Awesome God!!

2.  I am thankful for the gifts that I have received throughout my life.  These are tangible gifts as well as spiritual gifts.   Everything that has ever happened to me in this lifetime has been a gift in one way, shape or form.  Everything that I have done, good, bad or indifferent, shaped me into the person that I am today.  I have said before that our paths are important so I am thankful for the choices that I have made and the directions that I have taken.

3.  I am thankful for my family in which are two of the biggest gifts that I have ever received;  My wife and most recently my son.  I am thankful that the Lord has enough confidence in me to bless me with this responsibility.  I am also thankful for my parents and siblings, my wife’s family, our church family and our extended family.  

4.  I am thankful that I am in a career that allows me to do some good occasionally.   Once when I found a stray dog which was literally miles away from home and called the owner, they brought their five year old daughter with them to pick up the dog.  When I saw her face light up at the sight of her four legged friend, it was clear right then, “that is why I do what I do”. 

5.  I am thankful that I have a few people who I can really call friends.  You know the ones.   At just a phone call, they will drop whatever they are doing and come to your assistance.  They come to visit you for no reason at all.   They love you enough to tell you that you are full of it.   I am also thankful that some of these friends, I have never met.  ( I know that sounds pretty bad but I meant to say that I have great friends that I have never met)

Now I tag:
Sean  (Yeah I know, big surprise huh Sean?)
Stacie
Sicarii
Nate
and Che

If you want to be involved in this meme, just do this.
1. Post five things you’re thankful for
2. Tag five friends to take part
3.  Link back to John’s original post (Optional) and encourage others to leave a link in his comments back to their posts.   There is so much to be thankful for.