Years ago Louie Giglio talked about using an alphabet of praise in prayer.  During this season, I thought “Why not an alphabet of thanks” too.  I spoke last week at Grace Fellowship about how being grateful is often an indicator of generosity.  As I was preparing the talk – the idea of an Alphabet of Thanks came to mind so I started jotting down the things that came to my mind from A-Z.  Maybe you ought to take a couple of minutes during this Thanksgiving holiday to do the same personally or together as a family.  Who knows what your list will hold?  Here’s what I wrote down initially….as my Alphabet of Thanks…..

A nimals  (with the exception of skunks) even though I guess I should be thankful for them too.

B arrett and B enaiah – my two new grandsons

C hurch – my church – our staff team – our leaders & vols – our family

D ad – my dad who is definitely one of my heroes

E ternal life

F orgiveness – b/c I’ve been forgiven of so much

G race – w/0 it I would be lost – I live under grace

H olidays

I phone – really I love using it even though I have a love/hate relationship with AT&T

J anet – my wife and “hot mama” of nearly 35 years

K ids – my kids and their spouses – the fact they’re all followers of Christ

L ife – b/c every day is a gift

M 0ther – my mom is an amazing woman who loves genuinely no matter what

N ature – love the beauty & majesty of the creation that God has given us to enjoy

O pportunities to serve Christ

P eople who have influenced me toward Christ & those who still do

Q uicken – helps me keep our finances in order  (really)

R elationships with family & those genuine friends in my life

S avior – Jesus Christ

T oys – and the joy they bring to kids (even big kids)

U mbrellas – when it rains – it looks like I have no hair on my head w/o an umbrella !

V acations

W ord of God

X ylophone – b/c I like music and there aren’t many X words

Y oung Believers b/c they’re so passionate & hungry

Z oos – b/c we went to them often when I was a child & I love watching the animals