Don't Blink

"Don't Blink. Life moves faster than you think."

As many begin to prepare to spend time with their families over the next few days and celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded at just how short life is. My family and I will approach the "first" of many "firsts" on Thursday. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my mom will not be with us. However, I don't dwell on this because I am sad (I selfishly am sad). In fact, I am happy because she is home and home is where my heart is, home is where I long to be. There is nothing that I look forward to most than meeting my God, my Savior, and my intercessor. I can tell you that my treasure is Heaven and that is where my heart is (Matt. 6:21).

Thanksgiving was always a fun time of year for our family, no matter which side of the family we were visiting. We always knew we could start our thanksgiving meal once our mom arrived because she was usually the last one there. Although, occasionally, she would throw us off and by being there early. Thanksgiving was one of the few time we would see all of our cousins during the year (aside from Christmas). Being silly, enjoying food and fellowship, playing games were some of the things we enjoyed. Most of all, I enjoy being surrounded by my family and the people I love (to which I don't say that often enough).

I always enjoy this time of year because I like to look back on all the things I have to be thankful for and all the ways that God has richly blessed me.

1. I am thankful for my creator (God) who gave me life and loved me enough to allow Jesus (God's son) to stand in my place and bear my sins.
2. I am thankful that I was able to spend 28 years with my mom. Some do not get to spend that much time with their mothers.
3. I am thankful that my mom is with our Heavenly Father. 
4. I am thankful for a wife who loves me despite my struggles and downfalls.
5. I am thankful for a dad who I can call at anytime for advice or just to talk about life. 
6. I am thankful for a brother who I have grown to be so proud of. He's doing great things for the kingdom!
7. I am thankful for a job that I love so much. It's more of a blessing than a job... because I LOVE what I do!
8. I am thankful for family. Family that loves me, supports me, and is always encouraging to me even if we don't get to see each other very often. 
9. I am thankful for friends. How in the world would I have gotten through these last four months without friends?
10. I am thankful for a church family. You don't know how truly blessed you are to have a church family until you are in need of them and then they rally around you, support you, and make sure things are taken care of. If you don't have a church family, find one! It's one of the greatest things in the world. 
11. I am most thankful that my citizenship is in Heaven. "...our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." - Philippians 3:20-21.

This Thanksgiving I encourage you to hug your loved ones just a little longer, make sure to say, "I Love You", and enjoy the moments while you can. There is coming a day where we will be separated from the ones we love, so make it count while you are able.

I will miss my mom's smile and laugh on Thanksgiving, but I will never forget the wonderful Thanksgiving memories that we made. Cherish your time with each other, make beautiful memories, and be thankful for many things! We are truly blessed!