Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which is one of my favorite times of the year (Christmas is #1), and we will have all of the kids under one roof which is a rarity these days. During this season, I have been contemplating the many reasons I have to be thankful. Even today, while running a few errands, I turned on BBC World News radio, which quickly put life into perspective in terms of how thankful we should all be for where we live and the freedoms and privileges we enjoy. I was saddened to hear about the Albanian earthquakes that just hit with many casualties and deaths. I was reminded of the plight of the protesters in Hong Kong as the reporter described the clean-up underway in the Polytechnic University where many of them had been hunkered down trying to voice their opposition against the suppressive Chinese controlled regime. The topic then turned to the “silent genocide” that may happen in Zimbabwe where the senior doctors are on strike because of the lack of funding, salaries, and equipment to treat the sick. These were just a few highlights of the turmoil of the day. Jesus couldn’t have been more on point when he said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34b NIV).

I am thankful for the safety and security of my modern country life, close to every convenience, yet surrounded by the peace and privacy that nature brings. I am thankful for the freedom of speech I and others demonstrate and enjoy daily in America. Even the impeachment craziness that is underway in Washington has a silver lining—there is a process in our republic that allows for checks and balances. In many other countries I have traveled to, such a process would be impossible to execute without bloodshed. I am also very thankful that I was able to both afford and access healthcare at a nearby medical clinic for pain I was suffering, where a competent doctor was readily available.

As you enjoy some family, turkey, and football tomorrow, say a prayer for the families impacted by the natural, political, or economic calamities that seem to be transpiring around the world on a regular basis. We have much to be grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!