I am thankful
September 24, 2011 (Saturday)
As announced in yesterday’s blog, today is my 80th birthday. I don’t usually blog on weekends, but it seems appropriate today. As you might expect, it is a day for evaluation. I think back over my life today. And I am very thankful for all the people who have become a part of it, allowing me to become part of theirs.
Every member of my family made sacrifices in my behalf and contributed to my life. Their unselfish deeds combined to shape me into who I am today. I realize now that each of them had a life of his/her own, and for many of them life was a struggle to survive, yet they took the time to love me and make me a part of their lives. To each of them, from ancestors to descendants, I say, “Thank you.”
The girl who became my wife gave me strength I would never have had without her.* Wanda was a strong person and a practical person whose influence shaped my decisions and kept me on track. In addition, she had a powerful and successful ministry all her own. Our 48 years together were cut short by her death almost 10 years ago, but her influence goes on in my life and the lives of our wonderful children and grandchildren. To her I say, “Thank you. Without you, I don’t know how my life would have turned out. Thank you.”
Many people in the churches in which I have served** have impacted my life, but there certainly is not enough space to name them all. It would take a book to do that, probably several books at that. To each and every one of those who have taken the time to be my friend, I say, “Thank you.”
Minister friends, mentors and teachers made tremendous contributions.*** They enabled me as a person and as a minister to fulfill my role in God’s plan. And I owe a debt to the people I never thought much about, such as those who established the schools, and those who made provision for denominational assistance for college and seminary, as well as the folks who gave me employment as I tackled the dual role of family man and student. Hillary was right; it does take a village.
Born a couple of blocks from the Liberty Road Baptist Church, it took me almost 17 years to get there. It became the place where I came to understand that God wanted me to serve him full time. There I came to know a new family, my Christian family. After that, everything was changed. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of what he is doing in this world.
This blog does not mention your name. Whoever you are, thank you for including me in your life, and for walking with me to this special moment. I wish the name of every person whose name belongs here could be printed here today. Thank you for being who you are, and blessing my life.
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Image and blog references:
* View image
**the churches in which I have served
***Minister friends, mentors and teachers made tremendous contributions.