Thankful


THANKFUL

I remember as a child singing,

“Count your blessings name them one by one, count your many blessings see what God has done…”

As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, I am especially overcome this week by all that I have to be thankful for this year, and how unworthy I am for all of it. So I thought I’d count my blessings and name them one by one…

  • A beautiful and gracious wife who puts up with me even when I’m grouchy and irritable and expect too much of her and forget she is my wife not an employee…
  • An adorable son who was Given to me out of the blue suddenly one day when I least expected it and has given me more reason to live than I ever had before…
  • True friends who stick with me through thick and thin – who aren’t impressed with any of my accomplishments. They are friends of Karl, not the “Kidologist.” They aren’t fans, they are friends. I need those desperately. (Could use a few more, actually, here in Colorado.)
  • Surviving a near heart attack in April 2009 that could have ended my life.
  • An exciting ministry, that while wears me out and keeps my up late at times, provides incredible purpose and fulfillment in life as I serve my Lord and Savior. While it once was too much my identity, it is now how I give back to Him who saved me from myself…
  • The privilege of having my “own” company – making a living by doing what I love and being able to pour into others and equip them to do what they love. (“own” is in quotes for I recognize my ministry belongs to the Lord.)
  • Getting to write DiscipleTown children’s church curriculum for DiscipleLand is a dream come true, as well as to have a column in Group’s CM Mag and contribute to their CM Pro edition – blows me away – I do not take such opportunities for granted. I’m amazed every time I get such a chance to equip and encourage others. Or when I get to speak at the Children’s Pastors Conference or anywhere else. I’m still the little kid who just wanted to be a children’s evangelist when I grew up. I keep being surprised by what I get to do, and I’m exceedingly thankful!
  • The opportunity to live in Colorado, a dream since childhood that came true this past year – the next best thing to living in heaven for me.
  • The chance once a year to go to Yosemite, a decision I finally had to make after a challenge from a pastor.
  • There’s more, of course, – but mostly for the Cross – where I continually get to lay my sin, right next to past sins, so that I can keep serving Jesus and enjoying His blessings, all undeserved.

Let me encourage you to “Count your blessings, Name them one by one. Count your many blessings see what God has done.”

Put them in comments here… on your blog or facebook page (and link here in comments)  – we NEED to do this – or we tend to focus on the negative and forget these things.

I am thankful today. I needed to count them. Thank you, Lord. You are so good to me, in spite of me. I love you.

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One Comment:

  1. Thanks for this post, Karl. You have much to be thankful for. I appreciate you setting this example, and keeping it real in the process.

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