It’s a wonderful life

You don’t want to read this one. It’s really a lot of rambling.

Today, as of 7:42 PM, I will have been on planet earth for forty-three years.

Something not quite right about that. My parents are this old, but I am not. Many of my older relatives have reached their forties, but not me. In my head, I am still working on a seventeen year old level.

If it were all over today, I would be totally satisfied. I have been able to be a part of so much. I have witnessed God do some truly miraculous things. I have endured some hard times and difficulties alongside of the people I love. I have enjoyed some equally high moments with them too. I have had lots and lots of fun and I didn’t need intoxicating substances to do it. I know I laugh more every day than the happiest drunk or pothead.

God has put so many incredible people in my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better set of parents. They are two unusual and exceptional people. If I have a shred of character, I have to attribute it to them. I am very close to my Aunt Donna and Uncle Gary. Most people do not enjoy such a friendship with their uncles and aunts, but these two have been there for me in a very consistent way. My grandmother is my friend. I know that sounds weird, but she has always been there when I needed her just like a friend would be. God only saw fit to give me one brother and I’m grateful for that because it has given us a relationship that wouldn’t be near as close if there were others around. He has my back every time. Every time. Shannon could have really done better, but she chose me out of all the men in the world. She has stuck by me when many were writing me off. She saw something in me even when so many others were warning her to get away from me. She has balanced me in a way that I needed desperately. She loves me. Nicole is such an incredible young lady. She is going to change the world someday. She doesn’t like to make it obvious, but she adores her dad and he needs that. Winston is as close to me as a son can get. He knows all of my imperfections and loves me in spite of them. He’s going to change the world too.

I have so many friends from the days in Georgia. So many people who served God along side of me. So many parents who trusted their teenagers to me. So many of those kids who are amazing, godly adults today. I miss my friends down there and have a terrible inability to keep up with them. I read your facebook updates, pray for you and remember our times together often. You had such a big part in preparing me for the ministry God has for us now. I await Heaven so that we can see one another more often.

I cannot thank my Lighthouse family enough. I want to start naming names, but then I would just list them all. I am amazed you keep showing up. After all the bad sermons. After all the bad ideas. After all the times I fell short of being what you need in a pastor. You keep showing up. Thank you for that. Thank you for loving me and my family. Thank you for taking such good care of us. Thank you for loving and serving Jesus. Please don’t stop.

Mostly, I want to thank the Lord. How can I not give my life to Him for all He has done for me? I have a life I couldn’t have dreamed of. I have been blessed beyond measure.

I don’t think anyone saw that coming.

I know I didn’t.