So Thankful for So Much

You know, I was packing for my trip to Southern California when I realized I am over 4 hours into Thanksgiving. Wow, that crept up on me. That being said, I decided to spend a few minutes looking at my life and figuring out what I'm thankful for. I know it sounds dumb to write it on blog...but you're reading it, so be quiet...especially you, Jeff. Haha.

First off, I'm thankful for my Savior. I know it seems particularly "bloggish" to write something like that, but I really am! I mean, I look over my life and I see how completely worthless I am without Christ. It is not a pretty sight. I described it a few weeks ago as a "breath check" when you first wake up in the morning.....ewwww, just not good and there's no hiding from it. No matter what I could ever fathom doing to make it up to God for all my mistakes, I had already sentenced myself to an eternity in Hell. God can't just let sin go unpunished...It has to be paid for. Man, that thought's even worse than the morning breath. But you know what? My God knew the way. He descended into our world to live among us, and then die. You heard it. God, in the form of Jesus Christ died to change the verdict and sentence for those that believe in Him. Now that I'm thankful for. I've been thinking about it so much lately, how awesome it is to know where I'm headed when my time here on earth has expired. But there's more...

...Even living a life with Christ, I still have a tendency to really screw things up whenever I take the wheel from his hands. But God just waits, like a father allowing his child to learn a lesson in a protected environment, He lets me stumble and try to get up, and He's right there when I look up and say, "God, I just can't do it alone." I'm thankful for both of these occurrences. I'm thankful that God doesn't look down upon my past mistakes, and His Love and Grace is enough to wash me clean eternally. I'm thankful He not only allows me to mess up, but then He picks me up when I can't stand on my own. I find that when I find my legs again, they have a drive and purpose that is unlike anything on this earth.

Now, secondly I'm thankful for my families. Haha, yes I said families...plural, because I'm thankful for my church family, my Notre Dame family, my Bethel family, and my biological family.

My church family at Grace Church of Granger has supported me through several of the most trying times of my spiritual life, and without their love and support, I would not be the warrior for Christ that I try to be today. I very well may have fell off the path of righteousness and may have taken to the ways of the world. I'm especially thankful for Pastor Rick and Brent Wood for taking so much extra time to help me through several things, though Brent wasn't the nicest guy when my engagement ended....but I so needed what he gave me. I'm also thankful for my adopted family, the Dunbars. Bob and Linda Dunbar have taken me into their family of 8 and truly cared so much. They are just a shining example of the heart of the members of my church, and I wish I knew a way to repay them for all they've done for me.

My college families at Notre Dame and Bethel have been such a blessing over the past 4+ years. Notre Dame has been a place of constant growth through conflict and testing, and Bethel has been a place of spiritual communication more through the form of discussion and prayer. I would not be the man I am without a few key friends, and I'm truly thankful for Jake, Brady, Mo, Jeff, Jeff, Geoff, Brian, Robbie, and Papa. Oh man, to think of who I'd be...and how small my sense of humor would be without you all.

Lastly, I am thankful for my biological family. My mom, my dad, and my brother. I've grown closer to all three of them over the past year than ever before. My brother isn't a kid anymore, and I'm thankful we have learned to get along, though it took a long time to figure it out. He's such a good man. My mom is the strongest woman I've ever met, and I wouldn't be surprised if she's officially the strongest woman to ever live, and you know what, she's almost always right! I hate that, but I love her for it. And lastly my dad...

...I'm thankful for my dad's influence in my life from the time I was a boy. I would not be in football, at Notre Dame, or anywhere close to the man I am without his influence...but I am most thankful that Dad had a better memory than he ever let on. I say that because my dad knows where to meet me when my time on earth is done. I told him, as I heard a friend tell me, to meet me at the right hand of the throne...and I'll bet you anything my dad is right there when I arrive.

So much to be thankful for. Thankful to others, but more importantly...

Thanks God!

Your boy,

Bobby