Everyone's doing it!

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, it's on everyone's mind: What are you thankful for?

Hearing it that much has its intended effect: I've been thinking about what I'm thankful for, and in the spirit of the season am going to share it with you. They're in no particular order, and this is not a complete list.

I'm thankful that God is changing me. I am, in very few ways, the same person I've always been. Changes abound in my life and in me, and I'm glad for that. I'm turning into a better version of myself.

I'm thankful that I am healthier and stronger this year than I was last year. Last year I had a panic attack on the morning of Thanksgiving, afraid of leaving the house. Last year I was miserable, and thankfully, this year I feel good. God has been doing a mighty work within me over the past year and I'm in a very different place now...and I'm thankful that I'll be in a different place next year.

I'm thankful for people who care. I am very blessed to have lots of people - family and friends - who ride with me on this roller coaster ride that is my life, and I'm very glad for that.

I'm thankful that I have a job to come to every day....and that I like it. I have a hard time getting going some mornings, and there are days (like today has been) where I wonder why I'm here because there's nothing to do, but I really do like it - in all sincerity - and I'm so grateful that I have a job at all.

I'm thankful for my husband. I see people who are unhappy with their spouses and I realize how incredibly blessed I am to have someone so sweet and understanding with whom I can spend my life. Something like what we have doesn't come along every day.

I'm thankful for my church. Before I got involved at Quest, I never understood the idea of a church "family." I get it now.

I'm thankful for my cat. Sounds silly, I know, but I've thought many times how glad I am that Kitter has been there with me when no one else was there physically. She has helped me through a lot of tough times, just by being there, and I'm grateful to her for that.

I'm thankful for hope. Without it, I can't make it.

Who's busier: beavers or bees?

Scott and I have had so much going on lately! It's CRAZY. For the longest time, we were just puttering from day to day, nothing going on at night....not much going on during the weekends.... Now, though, all of a sudden, there's ALWAYS something. It's a good thing, I think - we've all learned that I don't do well when I'm at leisure 24/7. It's teaching me some things, too.

First, SOME THINGS CAN WAIT. Take a shower and get ready for work, or wash those dishes that have been waiting for your attention for two days? Let's think. Wash the dishes, of course! (Just kidding.)

Second, SOME THINGS CANNOT WAIT. In spite of our busy-ness, we've made two things a priority: 1)each other, and 2)church stuff. That leads me to my next point....

Third, SOME THINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT. The busier I am, the less I feel I have time for things like - oh, I don't know - devotional time and prayer time and God time. The busier I am, though, the more I need that time....and the worse off I am if I don't get it. It reminds me of a book I saw one time. The title was something like, "Too Busy NOT to Pray." True, true.

Inspiration from JFK

Because I have the responsibility and privilege of doing the welcome and introduction every Sunday morning at church, I'm constantly thinking of what I can say to capture people's attention, simultaneously reminding them what we talked about last week, giving them a teaser as to where we might be going with this week's message, and NOT giving everything away and thereby spoiling the sermon. Because I also am responsible for the devos, I know the *general* direction the service will head in - though no specifics - and I often worry that I will say something that either doesn't fit AT ALL with what John is going to say, or that I will use an example or anecdote in my introduction that is too similar to what he planned on using in the message. We think a lot alike, so that's a real risk sometimes. So far, so good, though - I have yet to steal his main point, and have yet to lead the congregation down a trail completely separate from the point.

Last week, during the message, I was inspired by what John was saying (or shall we say, what God was saying through John), and immediately knew what I would say this week as a means of introduction. That rarely happens. (It would be nice if it happened more often, because that would spare me the anxiety of thinking of something throughout the week or - as is often the case - conjuring something up as I straighten my hair on Sunday mornings.) Anyhow, I have known since last Sunday that I wanted to use a quote from John F. Kennedy. Fridays being slow here at Boss Man's concrete company, I had time this morning to research it and make sure I had the quote right.

I found the entire inaugural address online (I LOVE the conveniences of the internet), read it all, and holy cow. Had I been around in January of 1961, I think I would have been a staunch supporter of JFK - though I have to say, I know little of his policies or ideas besides what are contained in the following message (which was, of course, meant to get people to feel enthusiastic that he was their president). Anyhow, I really liked the speech....and truth be told, I think Americans and the world could stand to hear a similar message today. Maybe I'll figure out a way to hack into the mass media and broadcast it during primetime......

(I'm highlighting things I really, really like. Don't get the wrong idea, that he said those things really loudly or with particular emphasis. I don't know. Unfortunately, I wasn't there.)

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning—signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge—and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required—not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support—to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak—and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course—both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms—and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah—to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.