These Are A Few of My Favorite Things…

Julie Andrews’ song about her love affair with thunderstorms and flowers and the facial hair of a baby cat continues to live in infamy among the hopeless romantics that religiously revisit The Sound of Music. I must admit that I still get a little choked up when Captain van Trapp sings that song about Austria’s national flower, but Maria’s favorite things leave me in serious want … what in the world is strudel? I guess when you are a nun, your Christmas list is pretty limited!

So I decided to share with you a few of my favorite things that I am so thankful for …

The open of my front door … the sound of ecstatic frenzy from my four favorite people … the hugs … the talks and laughter at the dinner table … the tumbling and dancing shows in the living room … always knowing that Ashley, Chandler, Shelby and Anna Grace will be at home to greet me when I get there …

Fall in Northwest Arkansas … a summer sunset at the beach … Krispy Kreme doughnuts … Ruth Ann cookies … hot chocolate with marshmallows … a Route 44 cherry coke … famous fajitas at Pappasitos …

Hearing my kids pray at night … Chandler’s leadership and that he talks to me about everything … Shelby’s compassion and beautiful eyes that melt my heart … Anna Grace’s spunk and the joy she brings to our family … the smile that my Ashley gleams and the love that she has for my Savior …

Watching Chandler, Shelby and Anna Grace play sports … Friday night high school football … Shiloh Christian School … watching college football all-day on Saturdays … the Crimson Tide … listening to my kids sing songs from KLRC … Anna Grace echoing “101.1 KLRC” …

Father of the Bride Part 1 and 2 … watching TV with my beautiful and wonderful wife …

The Stars and Stripes flapping in the breeze … Lady Liberty standing tall … Lee Greenwood singing “I’m Proud to be an American” …

Early morning Truth that is the same yesterday, today, and forever … Love so wide and long and high and deep that I can’t understand it … the promise found in the manager … grace and mercy found at the Cross … hope found in an empty grave …

People that love you unconditionally … friends that believe so strongly in you … family in Mobile, Houston, and Arkansas that is always “cheering” for me …

An exciting and Spirit-filled church … a Pastor that preaches Truth week after week … the group of folks that I work with and that I love to be around …

A Savior that is always there …

These are just a few of my favorite things … So when the unexpected strikes … When the hurt stings … When I’m feeling sad … I simply remember my favorite things … and I don’t feel so bad. This Thanksgiving make a list of your favorite things.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!