Five Things I’m Thankful For This Season

We’re about half way between Thanksgiving and Christmas… a perfect time to actually name a handful of blessings that I am thankful for. Gratitude—a spiritual discipline—is something we should strive for all year round, but sometimes it’s worth saying those things out loud (or typing them in this case). A Psalmist said, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1, NLT). That’s some solid advice there.

So here’s my short list this year—some simple things that have shaped me into who I am.

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1. I Would Be Lost Without Jesus Christ (Literally)

Probably no surprise here, that the top of my list is my Savior.

I’m thankful that by faith, I now understand what Jesus has accomplished for me. My brokenness (the list is long) should have led to me paying my own debt, but through the cross, Jesus and I swapped rap sheets. THE GREAT EXCHANGE! “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT).

Because of Him, God now sees His Son’s perfection in me—something I did absolutely nothing to deserve.

My relationship with God has been the single.greatest.game-changer.of.my.life. No close seconds. He has filled me with hope when things were uncertain, joy when it didn’t make sense, love when belonging felt empty, and peace—that all surpassing, can’t believe it, wild calm in the midst of chaos peace—even on the days that shook me the hardest. Knowing God is in control means I have nothing to fear and an anchor to keep me safe no matter the weather.

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2. I’m Thankful for My Wife—A 23-Year Miracle

I think I would be literally lost without her as well… just a different kind of lost. Twenty-three years ago, I was the beneficiary of a divine conspiracy—one where God somehow put a blindfold on my wife long enough for her to make the dumbest promise of her life… saying “yes” to spending the rest of her life with a guy who was batting way out of his league.

These past 23 years have been unreal—every one of them better than the one before. We’ve built something real… something fun… something full of laughter, joy, growth, and partnership. She’s my favorite person in the world, an incredible mother, my helper and encourager, my steady place, and hands-down the best earthly gift God has ever given me.

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22, NLT).

Melissa, when I got down on one knee in Sandusky Park and asked you to be my wife, it was a long shot. I had no idea just how incredible it would be to have you by my side. You are the prettiest girl in any room, which is why I’ll always want to be wherever you are. If you ever leave me… I’m coming with you. 😉

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3. I’m Thankful for My Girls—Young Women Who Love Jesus

Every God-fearing parent ought to have the same deep prayer: “Lord, let my kids love You and live the purpose You created them for.” Nothing matters more in their life than this!

I’m so grateful—and humbled—that my daughters love Jesus and His Church so deeply. I beem with joy when I see them lean into the gifts He’s placed inside them. They are brilliant, talented, and wildly creative. They bring so much laughter into our home (they’re the perfect kind of weirdos), and I love watching them use their God-given gifts to make much of Jesus.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth” (3 John 1:4, NLT).

How blessed I am to have a front-row seat to the journey God has written for each of you. With your momma by my side, you will always find us—hands raised, voices lifted—cheering as you run, and run, and run.

God has never entrusted me with a higher calling than leading our home, and I am continually amazed at how you have made that calling not only sacred, but a joy. Thank you.

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4. I’m Thankful for My Church—A Family That Grew Through Fire

This year was, well, a lot. It was heavy, stretching, refining. It was harder than any other I remember. But I’ve never been more thankful for Arundel Christian Church.

Instead of breaking, our church and leadership stood on truth together.

On the other side?
Stronger faith.
Stronger unity.
Stronger mission.
Stronger dependence on Jesus.
More resilience.

(Not just for ACC, but for me personally.)

And on top of all the growth we experience this year, I believe ACC is stepping into its most exciting season in 2026. Big things are coming. Impossible things. God-sized things.

The Bride of Christ that gathers at 710 Aquahart Road is made up of some of my favorite people on this planet, and I’m grateful we get to run into God’s future together.

“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus…” (Hebrews 12:1–2, NLT).

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5. I’m Thankful for My LifeGroup and Friends

God never intended for people to do life alone. This year especially, I’ve been blessed by friends who have prayed for, encouraged, spoken truth to, and walked beside my family and me when leadership felt heavy. Relationships are one of God’s greatest gifts!

My LifeGroup is a lifeline—a place of honesty, laughter, prayer, depth, and community. They let my family be “just another family.” They allow us to be real and broken. They don’t expect their Pastor each Friday night. They remind me that the Church is not a building… it’s people following Jesus together.

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17, NLT).

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Closing Thought

Gratitude rewires the soul. It forces us to stop looking at what’s missing and start noticing what God has already provided. When we do that… perspective changes. Faith strengthens. Hope rises.

This year, I’m thankful—deeply, truly, overwhelmingly thankful.

I can’t wait to see what God has planned next.