Here it is November already which is Thanksgiving month in most minds. Over the years it has been a time we have all looked forward to but, to be honest, the last few years it has been a time that is pretty hard to face. We know we are to be thankful in all things, but each year it has gotten to be harder and harder to even consider the possibility.

While watching the news last week, I was struck when watching an interview with presidential hopeful John McCain and two men who spent over five years with him as prisoners of war in the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam war. They each talked about how this was beyond a doubt the worst time of their lives, yet how it was also the most life changing and deepening time for them. Because of this time they now approach life differently, wanting their lives to make a difference.

And I honestly believe that some day that is how we will see these last seventeen years spent in the “Florida Street Hilton”. Right now it is the worst of times, but God has said He has a good plan for us that includes a hopeful future. (Jer. 29:11) And we are still saying with David, “I am confident that I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

Recently I was really challenged by Psalm 50. In the first few verses God summons His people to tell them He doesn’t need their sacrifices – in fact, He doesn’t need anything from them since everything already belongs to Him! But in verses 14 and 15 He says, “What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” WOW! That’s exactly what I want – to have God rescue us and bring glory to Him in the process. And how can this be done? By giving God thanks and trusting Him in times of trouble.

Psalm 50 then concludes by saying, “But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.” As I thought about this I realized I still had MANY things to be thankful for. Below is the start of a list of things for which I can truly be thankful this Thanksgiving.

· A saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that comes with the promise of a bright future even though the going may be rough for a while
· A wife whom I can admire, one who has followed Jesus with ALL her heart and has been a great help to me and our kids in doing the same
· A daughter who has generously and willingly given up her own life to care for her mother and help her father these last few years in obedience to the Lord
· A family and many faithful friends who have generously loved us, prayed for us, encouraged us and supported us
· The ability to care for Cora during this time of illness rather than put her in the hands of a care facility
· Hospice care provided by Medicare
· Living in a country that has a special day set aside for giving thanks to God

As I thought about it, I realized this list could go on and on. So my aim this Thanksgiving season is to focus on the innumerable things I have to be thankful for, not the things I feel could be better that clamor for my attention. Cora, Jenny and I are very grateful to you for your faithful, prayerful support these past few years that have enabled us to get this far. This race is not over yet, and we continue to believe we’ll see 2 Cor. 1:11 fulfilled in the very near future. “He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people’s prayers for our safety have been answered.” Thank God for His many promises and His ability to and faithfulness in keeping them!