I am Thankful — Are you?

This blog will be a little different than ones I usually post. I enjoy writing about inspirational and ordinary people I meet along the way and convey their message of hope. For me, it’s more than a hobby.

But I want to take a few moments and reflect back on the year I have experienced with gratitude and awe in the spirit of Thanksgiving. I am not boastful — I am thankful.

What a year it has been since my first blog about twelve months ago. I have been signed by one of the most up-and-coming literary agents in the industry. My first book will be out on the market soon, and several more are in the works. I can’t seem to get my head around how fast everything has happened, but it’s all about to start.

My agent Cyle tells me all the time “the favor of God is on you.” I am humbled and never want to take that for granted.

Angie and I have made several new friends who are near and dear to us. In the past year, we have traveled from coast to coast where we marveled at the redwoods near San Francisco and witnessed the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States in Washington D.C.

I have been able to sit down with some of the biggest names in professional sports for personal interviews for future projects. I have become friends with a couple of them through all of this.

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

These past 12 months have been a blur. I have many things to be thankful for. Here are a few (in no particular order.)

Follow my blog here.

I am thankful for heated leather seats in my car.

I am thankful for thick sliced bacon.

I am thankful for the magazines that have published my articles this year, and the big one in January.

I am thankful for my publishing contract.

I am thankful most of our Christmas decorations are up before this holiday weekend.

I am thankful Angie does not like to shop on Black Friday.

I am thankful God saw fit to forgive me.

I am thankful my family saw fit to forgive me.

I am thankful I have been blessed with a writing ministry.

I am thankful my agent believes in me.

I am thankful for all of the wonderful people I have been able to interview over the past year.

I am thankful my first book will be released soon.

I am thankful for coffee — good coffee.

I am thankful for sunsets.

I am thankful for Bluetooth in my car.

I am thankful for my job.

I am thankful for our health.

I am thankful for our church.

I am thankful for answered, and unanswered prayers.

Follow me on Twitter here.

I am thankful for our firepit and eating s’mores with friends and family.

I am thankful for all of our new friends. They are amazing.

I am thankful for our nation and our military.

I am thankful for our law enforcement and first responders.

I am thankful for our flag and our history.

I am thankful for my boys and my wife.

I am thankful for a new daughter-in-law.

I am thankful for vacations and time away, yet glad for my home.

I am thankful for the all-you-can-eat buffet for the media at the Cincinnati Bengals games.

I am thankful for Schwann’s popsicle sticks.

I am thankful for God’s grace.

I am thankful for Denise’s homemade bread and my mother-in-law’s Sunday dinners.

I am just thankful. And I’d still be that way even without all the blessings.

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15

That is what this past year has done for me. I have developed more of a thankful heart over the past several months.  God has opened up a new world for Angie and me to spend together.

Not everything has gone my way, but that is not what I focus on anymore. I look ahead and treasure the blessings the Lord has given me.

I look forward to an exciting series of books to be published. I anticipate some of the Christian Writers Conferences I will attend with Angie. I even look forward to a big family vacation cruise to Alaska next summer with the in-laws (much prayers needed please.)

Nothing good will happen when you concentrate on the negative. I have experienced some, but this will not slow me down or hinder me. In fact, the hard times only make me stronger. I learn from challenges and use them as fuel for my fire. I refuse to glance over my shoulder to the past. John Wayne, one of my favorite actors, once said: “Looking back is a bad habit.” No more. The future is ahead and is bright.

Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me. I don’t deserve them, but I will accept and allow them to grow in my life.

What are you grateful for this Thanksgiving?

Let me know your thoughts on how God has blessed you. Even if you are going through a difficult time, realize the Lord loves and wants to help you.

Do you depend on Him for happiness? You should.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.