I Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…”

In less than 24 hours, it all begins. People will be getting up at ungodly hours of the morning to get in line and find a few bargains. I’ve never been a person who participates in Black Friday. (Ironically, the “crowd-thing” stresses me out.) I’d rather enjoy a day at home and possibly, if I feel really adventurous, head to Starbucks for an americano.

Black Friday has sort of become the official shotgun start to the season of joy and peace. So before we, as Americans, dive into the pursuit of finding the best deal, let me take a moment and share a few things I am thankful for. Like many others, I really don’t NEED to buy another thing…I have enough and I am thankful.

I am thankful for…

• My God, who extends me more love and grace than I could ever deserve.
• My amazing wife, who is much better than any of you know.
• My incredible kids…Caden, Connor and Pax.
• The journey of the last seven weeks…from discovering Pax has downs to every doctor we have had to go to. I am truly thankful for the journey we are on and the fact we live in a nation where we can “go to the doctor.”
• The people who I get to work with at Rockford First. We are much more than co-workers…we truly are friends.
• For Rockford First! What an amazing group of people who gather each week to worship. I am thankful that I look forward to church each week.
• For great parents, who did their best to provide me with a great upbringing.
• For the last 10 years, where I was forced to navigate some seasons of great frustration, which in turn have produced resilience and stick-to-itiveness. (Did I just say that?)

Now for some less important things…

• For Steve Jobs and everything Apple. (Enough said.)
• For my hair. (I still have most of it.)
• For coffee. (I love coffee.)
• For the American toilet. (You laugh, but have you been to other places in the world? – wow.)
• For motorcycles. (Whoever invented them is full of awesomeness.)
• For the Bears and the Cubs. (And in turn, for great patience.)
• For airplanes. (I couldn’t imagine traveling by stagecoach.)
• For chocolate chip cookies. (And a fast metabolism.)
• For cell phones. (I remember when everything was connected to a cord.)
• For good, clean, intelligent movies (They are few and far between.)
• For good, clean, intelligent music (Also hard to find.)
• For Logos software. (I remember having to search through volumes of Biblical commentary when preparing a message.)
• For Chicago. (It’s just the coolest city.)
• For my super-soft Rockford Master’s Commission T-shirt (Unless you have one, you won’t understand.)

I could go on and on…but for the sake of your time, I shall stop. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Have fun tomorrow. I’ll be watching you race to the store from a seat in my favorite Starbucks.