This month, your three preachers are going to be sharing some things we’re thankful for as we approach the upcoming holiday.
I’m up first and I’ll start by mentioning something personal, which is not usually what I like to do in my articles…
I’m thankful for my kids.
My precious Jack was born a little over a year after Lauren and I got married. In fact Lauren and I only had about six months together before we found out Jack was on the way. Many marriages take years before husband and wife decide to become father and mother, but we didn’t complain, and we still don’t today. Jack is independent, outspoken, occasionally headstrong. He is very much my son. I call him my heir because he will inherit all my traits and quirks, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Caleb came a couple years after Jack. He’s so like his mother with his strong will and determined spirit. He’s a spark in our house, always eager to put smiles on our faces. Caleb has the biggest heart of everyone in our house, and the tenderest heart of us all. In fact, I often think about how he has his mother’s heart and my brain. Caleb’s our most creative, most clever (too clever if you ask me, which is probably what my parents thought of me), and most unpredictable child, and we wouldn’t change a thing.
All of our kids have been “surprises” but Joshua was the biggest. He came to us years after we got rid of almost all of our baby stuff, after our kids had started school and after we thought we were done. I say “we” thought we were done, but not everyone thought it: Joshua came by way of Caleb’s many prayers for a little brother, and the Lord answered his prayers. He is the missing piece we didn’t know we were missing.
Those are my kids; what about yours? I know you’re just as thankful to have yours as we are to have ours. The Psalmist says a big family is a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5): Have you thanked God for His blessings?
~ Matthew