6 Things I am Thankful For in 2015
Every Sunday I write a Good News post, a short reflection of something good that has happened during the week. With this being the last Sunday of 2015, I thought I would go beyond the week and reflect a bit on the year, to look at the things that I am thankful for.
In many ways 2015 was a difficult year. However the point of a Good News post is to find the good in the bad and to focus on the positive. Here are six things that I am thankful for from 2015.
- I am thankful for my wife Amanda. Amanda had a pretty tough year, something she has not hid from the public. You can find out more at her website. I am so proud at how Amanda has done in her recovery. She has fought hard and has come a long way. She will be starting school in January and is taking others steps to grow. I really love this woman.
- I am thankful for our children. We do not have a typical family. Two have severe autism and the others have their own challenges. But I am amazed at how well they are doing. It was during 2015 that Logan and Abby went to live together in a group home. This is so good for them and the rest of our family. Justus, Emma and Faith have also done well, especially with the stress of moving and leaving behind friends. I love all these kids.
- I am thankful for our move to St. Catharines. It was not without its challenges and there has been a price to pay. Still, it really feels like coming home. I am thankful that we can be closer to Amanda’s family and mine. I’m hoping to reconnect with some old friends as well.
- I am thankful that I was hired by Queen Street Baptist Church. To be honest, when I saw the posting I thought this is too good to be true. But God has been with us every step along the process. I do not start until January 4, but we have been attending already as participants. It is very helpful to get this perspective before officially starting. I have already grown to love this congregation.
- I am thankful that I have come to a greater understanding of myself. I won’t go into details here, although regular readers of this blog will know what I am talking about. This year has been a year of self-discovery and for the first time in my life I feel like I know who I am and am comfortable with it.
- I am thankful for my health. I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2013. While many people go into remission after a few months or a year, that has not been my experience. I still have fatigue, muscle and joint pain and complications with my eyes. Still, I know enough about sarcoidosis to know that it could be a lot worse. Thinking back to how I felt in the hospital in 2013, what I have now is far better than I could have hoped for.
This has been my 2015. Although there were many challenges, there has been much good as well. I am thankful for these six things and many more. All of this is good news.
