Choose Thankful by Jeff Davidson (Republished from Nov 2012)

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Those of you raising a child with special needs know how truly hard this is sometimes. We all have days when we want to crawl over to the dark side and linger for a while.

I talk to so many parents who have this chronic sadness or sorrow that never seems to go away. It fades into the distance, but it is always still there, hiding in the shadows of their hearts.

There are days I just don't feel thankful. There are days I get envious and jealous or frustrated and my attitude quickly changes colors. My poor attitude and lack of gratitude make it tough to find something to remain thankful about.

But scripture says I am to choose joy. The scripture says it is God's will for me to remain joyful. So in order to do that, I have to change my perspective.

I have to take the same circumstances, the same situation, the same issues and look at them differently in order to choose thankfulness. It's my choice. It's not about changing my lot in life or my circumstances. It's about how I respond to my lot or circumstance.

So as a dad of a son who is non-verbal, non mobile, and cognitively challenged- what do I have to be thankful about this season?

I am thankful for a son who has been protected from the impurities and imperfections of this world.

I am thankful for a son who I will get to be around every day for the rest of our lives.

I am thankful for a son who even at 15 years old hugs my neck.

I am thankful for a son who taught me unconditional love.

I am thankful for a son who has taught me complete dependency on God for my every need.

I am thankful for a son who has taught me to find joy in the simple things and contentment with just a few things.

I am thankful for a son that God has used to help me find my purpose in life.

I am thankful for a son who seems to bring out the best in everyone he encounters.

I am thankful for a son who always has a smile on his face regardless of his circumstances.

I am thankful for a son who focuses on what he can do, not on what he can't do.

I am thankful for a son who treasures his mother.

I am thankful for a son whose name is written in the Book of Life with a permanent marker.

I am thankful that I get to do ministry together with my son.

I am thankful that God has given my son a plan, purpose, and destiny for his life before he was ever born.

Yea it would be easy to come up with a list of things I'm not thankful for. Real easy. After all, it's my choice.

And it's yours as well.

Choose joy. Choose thankfulness. Count it all joy my friends.