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Attitude
of Gratitude
November 26, 2003
I guess it's just hard for me to realize I've been on active duty for
all of thirteen months. As I sit here putting pen to paper (figuratively
speaking), it dawns on me that this is my fifty-fourth article. The time
has gone by very quickly, which — at this stage of my life —
is not really a good thing! But I digress.
Thanksgiving is one of those times when home and family are sorely missed
when you must be away. Home-cooked meals, the smells of turkey, stuffing
and all the trimmings hang in the house to be enjoyed over and over again.
It is a time to give thanks for God's grace toward us as a people. And
I am thankful to God for many things. Allow me to share some of them with
you:
- My Wife - Not only is Isaura my wife of 27-plus years, she
is also my number one fan. It takes a special kind of spouse to endure
the demands of military life. She has done so with alacrity and grace.
She has watched me leave for military duty by ship and plane on numerous
occasions. Of course, the homecomings are always a blast!
- My Family - Both my family and Isaura's family have been totally
supportive in my serving in the military, and particularly during this
current war on terrorism. It doesn't hurt that my nephew is a Marine,
and my brother is a retired Marine!
- My Church - The congregation of the Free Methodist Church
in Ripon, California, has also had to adjust to my being activated,
having me gone for over a year now. One of the greatest gifts these
dear folks at church could have given me is their prayers. Before I
left last year, they presented to me a calendar for the year, listing
the people who signed up to pray for my family and me each day of each
week during my absence. I really miss these folks.
- My Superintendent - Reverend Forest Bush appointed me to be
the pastor of the Ripon Church in 1998. He was fully aware of my naval
reserve status, and the possibility of my being recalled, which would
leave him a pastor short in the Sierra Pacific Conference. He had a
belief in my abilities as a minister to send me to shepherd the finest
congregation on planet earth. I am indebted to him for this honor.
-
Chuck
Roots with General Peter Pace, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff |
The Navy Chaplain Corps - This organization within the United
States Navy has afforded me the opportunity to live with and minister
to sailors and Marines. Not to mention all the soldiers and airmen here
in Djibouti, Africa. It's been twenty years since I was commissioned
as a naval officer. What a ride it has been!
- My Country - I am unashamedly American. To have been born
in the greatest country ever is a blessing to be cherished. I've been
privileged to travel all over the world, and to see and experience things
most only read about in books and travel pamphlets. But after all that,
there's still no place like the U.S.A.
- My God - It was a little over thirty-one years ago that I
surrendered my heart and life to Jesus. I had no idea how this was going
to affect my life, or where things were headed. I was still in Vietnam
where life was uncertain at best. Nor was I particularly concerned with
what the Lord wanted to do with my life. I was just thrilled to be saved
from my sins. Everything after that is cake!
There are many more things I am thankful for which this article would
not possibly have the space to contain. But life comes down to relationships.
To love and be loved is the greatest experience in the world. I am most
fortunate, for I am loved.
I have the assurance of God's love, the love of my family, and the love
of the people of my church. It just doesn't get any better than that!
So this Thanksgiving I find I have so very much to be thankful for. It's
true, I'm ten thousand miles away from those I love, but this doesn't
dictate the way we feel about each other. You see, love is not affected
by distance.
Well, to be sure, I look forward to the day I can return to be with those
I love. But in the meantime, I revel in their love and consider myself
to be abundantly blessed!
What's your attitude this Thanksgiving?
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