With the celebration of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d address some things for which I’m thankful. The sign at a local church said, “We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful”. I thought I’d put a different twist on my thankfulness. I decided to express thankfulness for some bad things in life. I Thessalonians 5:18 does say, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
So, here goes. I’m thankful I grew up poor before Lyndon Johnson’s welfare society came into existence. I’m thankful my dad punished me when I did something wrong. I’m thankful my dad made me work, when I would rather have played. I’m thankful my dad made me eat what was on my plate, whether I liked it or not or go hungry. I’m thankful my parents never had a car. I’m thankful I had to enlist in order to avoid the draft, and that I served in Vietnam.
Because I grew up before government took over welfare, I learned how to get by with what I had, appreciated what I had, developed a work ethic and had incentive to improve my life. I developed forethought and initiative, and sought an education. That’s missing in a lot of people today.
Because my dad punished my wrong behavior, I developed positive character traits. I didn’t learn to blame others and make excuses like so many do today.
Because my dad made me work, I not only learned how to do things, I learned to appreciate work. Finding a young person willing to work today is nearly impossible.
Because I not only had to eat what was on my plate, but had to help grow it, I had a healthy body, although being poor, we sometimes didn’t have enough. When I see a finicky eater, I think they should be thankful they have something to eat.
Because my parents didn’t have a car, I had to walk or ride a bike wherever I went. That helped me be in good physical condition. You don’t get fat walking.
Because I enlisted in the military, I was able to get an education I couldn’t afford and I met my wife. Being in Vietnam helped me appreciate life and freedom in a way many can’t understand.
I’m thankful for the bad things that have resulted in good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I’ve found that to be true in my life and for that I’m thankful.
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With the celebration of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d address some things for which I’m thankful. The sign at a local church said, “We don’t need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful”. I thought I’d put a different twist on my thankfulness. I decided to express thankfulness for some bad things in life. I Thessalonians 5:18 does say, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
So, here goes. I’m thankful I grew up poor before Lyndon Johnson’s welfare society came into existence. I’m thankful my dad punished me when I did something wrong. I’m thankful my dad made me work, when I would rather have played. I’m thankful my dad made me eat what was on my plate, whether I liked it or not or go hungry. I’m thankful my parents never had a car. I’m thankful I had to enlist in order to avoid the draft, and that I served in Vietnam.
Because I grew up before government took over welfare, I learned how to get by with what I had, appreciated what I had, developed a work ethic and had incentive to improve my life. I developed forethought and initiative, and sought an education. That’s missing in a lot of people today.
Because my dad punished my wrong behavior, I developed positive character traits. I didn’t learn to blame others and make excuses like so many do today.
Because my dad made me work, I not only learned how to do things, I learned to appreciate work. Finding a young person willing to work today is nearly impossible.
Because I not only had to eat what was on my plate, but had to help grow it, I had a healthy body, although being poor, we sometimes didn’t have enough. When I see a finicky eater, I think they should be thankful they have something to eat.
Because my parents didn’t have a car, I had to walk or ride a bike wherever I went. That helped me be in good physical condition. You don’t get fat walking.
Because I enlisted in the military, I was able to get an education I couldn’t afford and I met my wife. Being in Vietnam helped me appreciate life and freedom in a way many can’t understand.
I’m thankful for the bad things that have resulted in good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I’ve found that to be true in my life and for that I’m thankful.
