Published Dec. 1, 2009

Paul's Epistle...
"Thoughts Of Thanks #2"

Last week in this space I shared some of the hundreds of e-mails we received from readers sharing why they were especially thankful this Thanksgiving. As I mentioned, we can't possibly share them all, but I have read them and am glad so many of you took time to think about your reasons for thankfulness — and to share them. Here are some more, in no particular order:

• "Paul, it would be easy for me to tell you that I have reason to be bitter rather than thankful. I've buried a husband, two children, my parents and older brother. There are fractures in my remaining family that I continue to pray about. But, through it all, my Faith has never faltered. Without an income while my husband was dying of cancer, I never lacked for money. God has been there through every trial and has helped me get back on my feet. I thank Him every day for His love, His patience with me and for the challenges that bring me closer to Him. It's the only way I can live my life, knowing that my reward is yet to come." – Sheila C.
• "I am so deeply grateful for my salvation, my family and for all the things that God has prevented from happening to me (both seen and unseen). To be able to trust in His total loving care is a huge blessing." – Millard F.
• "There would never be enough ink and paper for us to write down all the things we are thankful for. A lot of times we as individuals take for granted that we are able to get up each day. That in itself is a blessing from God. A roof over my head, food on my table, and shoes on my feet..." – Melinda D.
• "I am truly thankful for prayer and the peace that Jesus gives in the midst of the storms of this life. My heart swells with thankfulness to God for the assurance that He hears my prayers, doing more ‘underneath' than I can see on the surface. And, of course, we are thankful for The Gospel Greats and this channel God uses to speak to our hearts..." – Joe & Ruth C., Alton, MO
• "Paul, three years [ago] my grandson was diagnosed with mylodia splastic syndrome. He had to take chemotherapy which killed his blood cells and underwent a transplant. He was told he would never father a child. But, yesterday he became the father of a healthy baby boy. What a miracle! 6 pounds, 14 ounces. God is the God of miracles!" – G.H.
• "I've had several operations over the last three years. On one of the operations, there were complications and I almost died twice. Thanks to the Good Lord, I'm alive today. I'm a miracle!" – Raymon F.
• "I would like to thank the Lord for healing my husband, Sam, of brain cancer. We only had two treatments and the ‘large mass' was gone! God is so faithful and we are so undeserving of His mercy and grace." – Gale B., Collins, MS
• "I am thankful to the Lord for my very life. On Feb. 5th, 2009, I had a car accident that left me with brain and facial trauma, a collapsed lung, a retina damaged left eye, a semi-paralysed right side and a few other smaller problems. Today I am able to type this response to you, so I am able to see, hear, feel and move. Although I am not 100 percent back to normal, I am much father than I (or the doctors) expected me to be. This year at Thanksgiving time I am not taking for granted the blessings of life – they could be gone in a moment's time!..." – Bob C.
• "In February of this year I had open heart surgery where they did four bypasses. Because of this, the Lord has done so much. He opened my eyes to all those whose lives I've touched. He provided finances to make ends meet when my time off threatened to capsize me. Best of all, He's drawn me ever closer to Him and given me greater understanding of His plans and purposes for my life. For all this I am thankful. I don't know how I would have done it without Him." – Jack Y.
• "The promise of heaven. Having lost my father-in-law this past weekend, I am thankful that we will be able to see him again someday soon." – Rebecca F.
• "A year ago Christmas my husband was in the hospital with a broken hip, heart problems and double pneumonia. One day he told me, ‘it was time,' that he was ‘too tired to go on.' But it wasn't God's time – and he is still with us this Thanksgiving!" – Donna G.
• "I thank and praise our Holy Father for His constant guiding hand in every aspect of our daily lives. He gives us Peace, like no other. He gives us comfort as only He can give. He keeps us healthy, well-fed and in good spirits. I no longer can count my blessings one by one, but must count them ton by ton. I/we have so much to be thankful for." – LMH, Fort Smith, AR
• "I work in a surgery department at a local hospital and have realized how thankful I and my family are to have not gone through any serious illnesses or deaths. There are serious illnesses here almost everyday. We are truly blessed." – Beverly J.
• "I'm thankful that no matter how bleak and grim the liberal media paints the world situation, God is on control. Happiness comes from circumstance, but joy is from the Lord!" – Gary G.
• "I'm more thankful to be a Christian this Thanksgiving than ever before. I can't imagine how anyone could survive the events taking place in the world today without the hope of better things to come, and the assurance that God is in control and will prevail." – Debbie P.
• "I'm especially thankful for the great relationship I have with my adult children and that all of them are serving the Lord." – Sheldon C.
• "The thing I am most thankful for is the way God answers prayers and is in control of our lives. He knows what we need before we do most often. With my husband losing his job three times this summer, it has caused us to really think and see if we really trust God to answer our prayers and to meet those needs in our life. He has always come through with something better each time. Praying that we can continue to just trust and believe He does care for us!" – Arlene M.
• "I am thankful for Gospel music. It has been a blessing to make new friends. Gospel music has helped get [me] through job losses, emotional problems and more." – Melody L.

The most succinct summation of that for which we should be thankful came from PJS in one word: "Jesus."

And the most unusual response I received was one from Kenny C. that simply said, "Psalm 115:1." I looked it up, and it's truly the spirit of Thanksgiving: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Amen.

Lord, may we all remember to be truly thankful each and every day of our lives, because You alone are truly worthy of our thanks and our praise.

- Paul

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