-Psalm 100:4-5
I know I haven't written a blog post in a while but I do have two topics to write about (not including today's topic) in the the near future. In the spirit of Thanksgiving 2017, I wanted to share my Thanksgiving topics. I hope in this Thanksgiving season we remember the goodness of God and what He has done for each of us in the past year.
- I am thankful for God. Without His unending love and grace, I would not be able to have anything in this list. While it is nice to have things to be thankful for, I know I would have nothing without the source of all things. I am thankful that God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins even when I was an enemy of God. No matter how many years go by, I am always amazed at the amazing grace of God.
- I am thankful for family. This year is the first full year I've lived completely on my own. While there are many things I enjoy about living on my own, I have realized the impact my family has had on my life. Much of who I am is due to my family influencing my life. I am especially grateful for the times I can travel back to Maryland and spend time with my family.
- I am thankful for friends. Since moving away from my hometown, I've had to make new friends. I have developed good relationships with people at my new church and workplace. I always enjoy having a nice lunch or dinner with my friends. I am also grateful for the friends back in Maryland, who encourage me through prayer and words of encouragement. I am also thankful that I can see them whenever I visit Maryland.
- I am thankful for my job. This is the first year I've worked full time for an entire year. While there have been many challenges, I have learned a lot about how to manage my career. Of course I am thankful for the money I get from my job, but I am also thankful for the relationships I have made. I know I still have much more to learn, but I am grateful for what my job has taught me so far.
- I am thankful for technology. I know this may seem broad, but I have come to appreciate technology because it allows me to communicate with family and friends who are no longer nearby. This year has given me a new appreciation for the ability to send a text message or email to someone who lives halfway across the country.
- I am thankful for music. While I was thinking about this list, I realized that music is a huge part of my life. I listen to music for a large portion of every day. I always have music playing in my car, my work, and my apartment. Music allows me to drown out my surroundings and focus at the task at hand. Music also helps me remember the goodness of God when I listen to the lyrics of the song.
- I am thankful for Instagram. I joined Instagram in March of this year and it has changed my life. I am able to take a peek into the lives of my friends and they also can peek into mine. I really enjoy seeing what others are up to, especially those who live far away from me. While Instagram has mostly been a good thing, I have realized that it can take up a lot of my time if I am not careful. Despite being time-consuming, I am thankful to have Instagram.
- I am thankful for basketball. I usually play basketball twice a week and it has been a great way for me to stay healthy and find enjoyment. I can't really explain why I enjoy playing basketball so much but I can say that I love it. I am thankful that I have a place to play year-round and people to play with.
- I am thankful for Dallas. I have lived in Dallas for over a year now and I must admit that I really enjoy living here. Of course I miss my family and friends in Maryland but Dallas has been a great place to live. The food and weather here is incredible. I am grateful to have so many places to have good food whether it be by myself or with friends.
- I am thankful for church. I currently attend both a Methodist church and a small UBF ministry in Dallas. While it has been a bit weird going to a different church service every week, I have come to appreciate it. The Methodist church has been a good source for me to learn about the word of God through Biblical teaching. Dallas UBF has been a good time for me to study the Bible with a small group of people and grow together through fellowship. I hope that through our prayers, we can grow Dallas UBF.
-Smart
