Family Thanks

Lord God, you have been so kind to me

through my family,

and you are still and ever kind.

Thank you for my wife, the lovely Robin.

Thank you that she still loves me

despite knowing me better than anyone but you

for these past thirty-six years!

Thank you that she will still go out with me,

that she will still (sometimes) laugh at my jokes,

that she is still so strange as to not think me strange.

Thank you for my awesome children,

such incredibly bright,

beautiful,

personable,

giving,

serving,

sweet-natured daughter and son.

Thank you for their love for me.

Thank you for the husband my daughter chose

and the wife my son married.

Thank you that I have such a man,

and such a woman,

to love my children,

and to parent my grandchildren.

Thank you for my grandchildren.

Oh, how can I thank you?

Thank you for Miles.

Thank you for Mia.

Thank you for Calleigh.

Oh, Lord, how they fill my heart

and what sweet exhaustion they bring to my life!

Thank you that they all know you,

and love you,

and serve you.

Thank you that my children and grandchildren

are faithful servants,

committed to the church.

Thank you for all their forgiveness

and patience

and grace

and perseverance

as a pastor's kids.

Thank you that I see them so often,

and that as often as I see them

and spend time with them,

I still can't wait to see them again.

And thank you that (I think)

they even like spending time with me.

And with all that, my thanks aren't done,

but like your mercies,

are new every morning.

Amen.