It’s crunch time. Christmas is less than a week away. Most of us are frantically making last second preparations. We’re rushing to malls, ordering and returning packages on Amazon, wrapping, decorating, cooking, and the list goes on. It’s easy with so much busyness to not have the time to prepare our hearts to receive our Savior, but that is the entire purpose of this season.

My past few weeks have been marred by moments of anger, sadness, and bitterness. I’d say it’s for no reason, but the reason is obvious. I miss my mom. She always lamented that I was independent to a fault. I would take everything on myself and never ask anyone for help. I recognize that, while I cannot help but to continually fall into this same trap, I cannot do everything myself. I need God. I need the salvation only his Son can provide. So, to prepare to receive Him this Christmas, I would like to recount all the many blessings He’s bestowed upon me for which I am so very grateful.

I’m thankful for a loving God who offered His son’s life to justify mine and all our sins. I’m thankful that He loves me so much that He would’ve done the same if it were only me He was saving.

I’m thankful for a loving, faithful wife who sticks by my side despite all the curve balls I throw at her.

I’m thankful for the blessing of a happy, healthy son.

I’m thankful for thirty years with the most amazing mother I could imagine.

I’m thankful for thirty-one years and counting with a father who would do anything and give anything, right up to his own life, for me.

I’m thankful for my entire family, so full of love and warmth. I’m thankful I get to live within a five-mile radius of all my siblings, and that I see my extended family at least once a year at our family reunions.

I’m thankful for wonderful in-laws that provide no stories that compel me to switch to the horror genre. I’m thankful we can see each other at least once a year, and I’m thankful for the smile they bring to my wife’s face.

I’m thankful for so many good friends, who know when to build me up and when to keep me humble.

I’m thankful I know where I’ll find my next meal. More importantly, I’m thankful I know where I’ll find my son’s.

I’m thankful I will have a roof over my head and a place to sleep tonight.

I’m thankful for so many blessings in my life that I cannot even recount or recall them all. But, in the impossibility that they should all be stripped away, I’m thankful that nothing could separate me from God’s love. That even if the last breath should be stolen from my lungs, His love abides.