During the month of November on the blog I am going to share a little bit of thankfulness and gratitude on Fridays. I am doing this as a way of celebrating Thanksgiving. If it proves enjoyable, I may just continue this practice beyond this month. 

So, what am I thankful for today?

I am thankful and grateful for opportunities. I shared some about this over on the COMPASS blog this morning. It’s not always easy to be grateful, but in reality, I have no reason not to be. I am thankful for the chance to work alongside great leaders in a local faith community, as part of LEAD and the Ecumenical Stewardship Center.

I give thanks this Friday for a feeling of hope. I’m not sure what lies ahead, but I have this real sense that Allison and I are on the cusp of something amazing. I’m not sure if this is a new chapter, or what this is. I have no information that supports this, just a gut feeling. But, up to this point, my gut feelings usually are right.

I give thanks for all the mentors, cheerleaders, friends, colleagues, co-conspirators and collaborators who I know, have worked with and continue to work with. You all make life interesting and enjoyable, and its great to be in relationship with you doing things that matter in the world.

I give thanks for my family. They have supported me every step of the way, and I don’t take that lightly. I hope I have been able to be as loving and supportive in return. If you don’t know my family, trust me when I say, they are a bunch of amazing people. They are all leaders in their own areas, but more importantly, they are people of trust who wear emotions on their sleeves and who support and empower others to grow and be more fully who they are.

I give thanks for my wife Allison. Life is always a wonderful adventure with her. This week marks five years since we got engaged, and a week ago marked six years since we started dating. Life is so much more rich, abundant and awesome together. Thank you dear for being my #1, and letting me be your #1.

That’s enough thanksgiving for this week. What are you thankful for today?