My Favorite Things

I remember in grade school when our music teacher began to work with my class to determine which of us wanted to enter in the regional contest for singing or any other talent we might have.  There was a song that we guys stayed away from but there seemed to be at least one girl every year that would sing it.  “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens”……. Really?  For a boy in the 5^th grade that was an extremely lame song……. “Girls in white dresses, with blue satin sashes”?  Talk about making a ten year old boy want to vomit.

But you know the song has a point.  We all have our own specific list of our favorite things.  It might be shaped by our gender, race, background, upbringing, etc.  It might be shaped by role models, parents, grand-parents, teachers, or many other things, but it definitely exists and is unique to each of us.

I also remember in the 5^th Grade receiving a calendar picture of Joe Montana from Mrs. Green.  She had randomly picked QB’s for each of us boys and I got Joe Montana.  I became a 49er fan for life and now live less than 2 hours from Candlestick Park (where they play, for you non-football fans).  It’s amazing how life works.

Today’s list of favorite things is very different from back then but it still exists.  It includes NY Super Fudge Ice Cream, G2, Lindt Dark Chocolate, Boneless Buffalo Wings from Chili’s, the TV Show Monk, the Andy Griffith show, Southern Gospel music, Oklahoma Sooners, and the 49ers.  Here’s the thing, as you read my list you might be rolling your eyes, or laughing at me, or even agreeing with me, but to me it’s an amazing list.

I do have a point in all of this.  God has blessed me with a list of favorite things that has nothing to do with food, or football or TV Shows.  It’s the morning drive Cade and I take to his school every day, it’s the view of the ocean, and the mountains, and even sky-scrapers.  It’s waking up every day and knowing that I’m loved by the most amazing woman (in my opinion) God ever put on this earth.  It’s watching my youngest son as he learns to walk, and talk, and shake his head no, and laugh uncontrollably when he’s tickled by his mom. 

And last but not least it’s every October during pastor appreciation month when I’m reminded again just how blessed I am to be serving God at Tyler Street Church of Christ.  The truth is that I get this reminder on a weekly if not daily basis, but this one time of the year when I’m showered with love and gifts and cards, I shake my head in wonder and thankfulness that God saw fit to put me and my family here.  Working with and under a Godly leadership, and alongside a bunch of amazing people who have given us so much over the almost 5 years we’ve been here, from physical gifts to emotional and spiritual gifts. 

I have a shelf on my desk that is dedicated to nothing but the cards and small reminders of this love, and it grows each and every day.  These are a few of my favorite things.  May God bless you today as you think of your list of favorite things, and may you be thankful for the people and things God has placed in your life.

Blessed beyond belief,

Lance