Blog: Max Dawson
December 31, 2015
Today is New Year’s eve. In just a few hours we will be in 2016. I am thankful for this old year that closes out tonight. But I don’t think it is enough to just say we are thankful. There must be specifics. These are my specifics, and though I have numbered them, they are not in any particular order.
1. I am thankful to be an American and to live in this country. We are truly a blessed people. We have more liberty, prosperity and good to enjoy than any people on earth. We have so much. Just to be a free people means so much. I know that someone will say, “But we have lost some of the goodness of America, and have even lost some of our liberty in recent times.” While I agree with that, we still live in the best place on earth.
2. I am thankful for family members that truly care about one another. If you have parents who care for you, or if you have a spouse who is faithful to you, or if you have children who love and respect you–then you are blessed and have reason to be thankful.
3. I am grateful to have lived another year in service to King Jesus. Is there anything better in life than to be in God’s kingdom? While my efforts at labor for Christ may be regarded as feeble and inadequate by some folks, those same folks may be surprised that I typically feel that way about my work myself. But I am still thankful that God has given what I have–a field of labor.
4. I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in the Lord. While none of them have yet reached perfection, among those with whom I associate at Dowlen Road church are the finest people I know anywhere. It is a blessing to gather with people with whom I will share eternity. They are my dearly beloved brethren.
5. I am thankful for those who protect our country, homes and liberty. I speak of the local policeman and fireman, as well as the soldier. At the present time in America, the soldier seems to be getting some long-overdue respect. But what about the policeman? Because of a few who have stepped over the line, it seems that all are getting a bad rap. Even firemen have been ill-treated this past year. Some folks in America think these servants are inherently evil. When those same folks are in trouble or their house is on fire, who should they call? Think about it.
We have much for which to be thankful. There are more things I could list in this brief spot. I give thanks to God for each of these things.
A FINAL WORD
If you will please allow me to add one more thing, then I will be done.
I am thankful for the word of God. As a personal matter, 2015 was a good year for me and my spiritual growth. It was just a year ago that my daughter, Jennifer, gave me a Chronological Bible with a one year reading plan. Reading the Bible every morning–and finishing the whole Bible in a year–has been a blessing to me. Maybe you don’t think of a man who has preached for 45 years as having room to grow. But, in God’s scheme of things, we are always growing. It is grow or die!
I finished Revelation 22 yesterday morning–one day ahead of schedule.
I am thankful for the word of God.
If you happen to read this piece on Facebook rather than via email, why don’t you add your own list of things you are thankful for in the comments section below?
Blessings to you,
–Max