2017 has been a year full of surprises, growth, and unexpected blessings; and, even as I shake my head at the rapidity with which it has flown past, I find myself entering this Thanksgiving season keenly aware that I have much to be grateful for.

There isn’t time to detail the list in its entirety—and even if there was, I’m sure there would be many things overlooked—but as I sit and reflect on the year and its blessings, three things stand out as continual threads.

#1 — Fruitful occupation

I’m grateful to have the freedom, opportunity, and ability to engage in meaningful work. I’ve been blessed with so many avenues of service, not to mention the health and ability to steward them well.

Both in vocation and in simple, every day occupations, I have been given the opportunity to sow into a lasting kingdom—so much greater than me and the short span of my life—along with the sacred privilege of investing in the lives of others.

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:17 (ESV)

In a world of fading pleasures, upon which our time is short and fleeting, there is an ache in each one of us to leave a lasting mark. And I am so thankful to serve a God who has “[made] known to me the paths of life”,  promising “fruit that remains” as a reward for a life given to His service.

#2 — Inexhaustible grace

Patience is not a virtue that I come by naturally, but it is one that I have benefited from in overabundance.

Surrounded by friends, family, leaders, and a community that have graciously allowed me the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to make many mistakes, I have gained a rich picture of the overwhelming grace that has been given us by an unfailing source.

Frail and wavering though we are, we find in our weakest moments the unending strength and provision of a God who is quick to forgive our faults, to shower us with kindness, and to equip us with everything needed for the life He has called us into.

As I seek after Him, frequently faltering and tripping over my own inability, I find again and again that His grace is both inexhaustible and ever available.

#3 — Unconditional love

Above all things, I have been the recipient of unconditional, unwavering love. Freely and eagerly, Jesus has poured out to me a love both astounding and humbling, and which I could never conjure in myself, nor hope to earn by my own merits.

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I John 4:10 (NKJV)

It is this truth upon which I build my life with endless gratitude and wonder. To be so loved by One so worthy is a reality that leaves me speechless and inspires me to greet each day with joyful expectation.

This love is reflected by those with whom I have the privilege of sharing my life—and who have poured into it so generously—by wonderful parents, siblings, friends, mentors, and leaders, that are an incredible gift for which I am inexpressibly grateful.

---

As the year approaches its conclusion and we enter a season of celebration and reflection, I’m thankful for a God whose love is perfect and unfailing, and who has given me the faculty to recognize the many ways in which I have been blessed.