I am Thankful for...

I am thankful for...

Thanksgiving. Every year, we as a nation, take a day to offer thanks. Filled with turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, gravy, corn, bread, and all other feast-day trimmings. Tables dressed with fancy place settings and table clothes. Friends and family gathered all under roof. Football games, parades, and the craziest of Black Friday shopping on Thursday afternoon. However you dress it up, whatever the traditions, and regardless of what your day looks like, Thanksgiving is here.

Over the years, the Higham's have shared in a number of Thanksgiving day traditions. Most years were spent in Philadelphia, at my parents house. Our day consisted of the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, followed by a full turkey dinner with the entire Higham family. Other years were a mix of visiting family in Maryland or staying at whatever home we were living in. But the location of the day really never mattered. The fact that we were simply together, as a family, was what made our day great.

This year, we are staying home. We sat down one night and talked with the kids and asked what they wanted to do. As much as we love visiting family, this year, we decided to just remain home and enjoy the day as a family. But we didn't want to just have a day of sleeping in, laying around the house, sitting in front of TV, while Amy works in the kitchen. So instead, we are doing something different this year.

As we talked about what our day would look like, we thought, let's do something different. This year, we asked each kid what their favorite part of the Thanksgiving dinner was. As each one shared their favorite dish, we thought it would be fun if the kids helped to prepare their favorite dish. So, starting Wednesday, Amy started working with the kids to make their favorite dinner. Their are other thoughts we have for the day, but I'll share them later.

Right now, I want to simply share somethings that I am thankful for.

1. For my Amazing Wife...
Yes, my amazing wife. I can't begin to tell you how awesome my wife is. Seriously, Amy is incredible. She has been a constant support and cheerleader. She has stood behind me and beside me. She has loved me, cared for me, and become that suitable helper that she was created to be. She is an amazing mother, giving me 5 beautiful kids. I have often said, she is my Proverbs 31 woman. True to the verse, Amy exemplifies every aspect of what Proverbs 31 describes. I know I am a blessed man, thankful for the amazing wife that God has given to me.

2. For Logan, Nate, Aiden, Asher, and Breya...
Psalm 127:3-5a says,
"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them."
Every day I am reminded of the blessing that God has given to me through my kids. And I love that we have a big family. I love that God has given us a desire to have a big family. And I love that Amy and I still have the desire to see our family grow. As I often think and pray for my kids, I am keenly aware that each one is unique and special; a creation from the hand of the Master Artist. I am amazed how each one, uniquely gifted, is growing, maturing, and discovering who they are in Christ. It makes me, as a dad, want to be better; to do better. And I hope that as God works in each one of them, He will also work in me to show me how to love and train up each one.


3. For the Passion and Opportunity to Do What I was Created to Do...
When I was 16, God got a hold of my life. While on a mission trip, my faith became real and I heard, clearly from God, that my life was to be given to Him for a career in ministry. Following that trip I began working with students. That was in 1991. Since then, I have watched as God touched the lives of students and families for more than 20 years. And I have experienced God's hand in my own life, as He showed me how to love not just students, but other youth workers; opening doors and opportunities to share my experiences. Today, I serve as a lead pastor, shepherding a small group of people who believe that God has called them to something exciting. For almost 25 years, teaching, discipling, encouraging, and loving God's people has been a joy and a delight. And as I think about what might come, I'm anxious to see what God does.

Yes, today is a day of thanks, and there is much that I am thankful for. But most of all, I am thankful for faith and the great gift of God's grace in my life. And today is the day that I what to simply celebrate God's goodness and blessings, while spending the day with my amazing wife and my 5 awesome kids.


Happy Thanksgiving!


- jay