My Thankful Thirty

I was being interviewed for a regional television program when I said: “If it’s God’s will, I plan to serve the elder orphans of Romania for the rest of my life.” The statement itself is not especially noteworthy. 

The next day, November 9, 2011, as I was driving 70 mph, I hit a deer. The semi-trailer truck traveling too closely behind me was unable to stop. When the truck rear-ended my Honda Civic, my car flipped three times. The eyewitnesses told me later they were surprised to find me alive. 

That’s when “I plan to serve the elder orphans of Romania for the rest of my life” took on new meaning. “For the rest of my life” very well could have been a mere 24 hours. 

“Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies” (Charles Edward Jefferson). 

This month I join a host of others in being intentionally grateful. I’m all for taking time to identify specific people and situations for which I’m particularly thankful and I appreciate reading the “Thankful Lists” of my facebook friends. But I also agree with the unknown sage who penned, “Thanksgiving, to be truly thanksgiving, is first thanks, then giving.” 

That’s why I’m excited about “My Thankful Thirty.” It’s a combination of “thanks” and “giving” that is simple, yet powerful. 

  
If you’d like to join “My Thankful Thirty,” grab a piece of paper and start your list of 30 reasons you’re grateful. That’s the “thanks” portion of the program. 

To add the “giving” part, you can make a $30 tax-deductable, secure online donation by clicking HERE. Be sure to put “Thankful Thirty” in the comments box. If you prefer to give by check, make it payable to Remember-the-Children (Elder Orphan Care is an outreach of RtC), 2611 W. 16th Street, Bedford, IN 47421. Please put “Thankful Thirty” on the memo line. 

May God abundantly bless you, Grateful Givers! 

You probably realize that “My Thankful Thirty” is near to my heart because 100% of the funds raised will benefit Elder Orphan Care, the ministry I plan to serve “the rest of my life,” whether that is the next 24 hours or 24 years. 

And you most likely can guess the first reason I’m grateful: I’m alive! 

“What can I give back to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me? I’ll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God! I’ll pray in the name of God; I’ll complete what I promised God I’d do, and I’ll do it together with his people” (Psalm 116:12-14 MSG).