When I was in college I was actually jealous of my friends who had amazing conversion stories. Their movement from dark to light was exciting—great for youth rally testimonies. My story felt so boring. Nothing spectacular.
My friend, Denean—with an insipiring story, told me in her direct fashion to get over it.
She was right. I set aside the jealousy and grew into deep gratitude for my Christian heritage. The years we spent in Venezuela made me even more thankful. Few of our Venezuelan friends knew what it was like to have Christian parents, much less grandparents. I benefited from Christian values passed down for generations on both sides of my family.
So thanks, God! Thanks for this sweet gift that has wrapped me in the protection of your love.
And thanks, Mom and Dad for giving me the most precious gift that you also received from your parents! Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Morris, Grannie and Grandpa Disch—who raised my parents in Christian families.
A Thanksgiving gathering – 1980s
Our Christian family isn’t perfect–we’ve had our messes, some big ones. But thankfully, our family is Christian and they’ve taught me valuable lessons along the way…
- Thanks for teaching me to love God, because God loves me. He’s always been there. I’ll continue to learn the depths of his love, but thankfully I’m not starting from scratch.
- Thanks for teaching me to love others. All my life I have watched my parents extend mercy to others. Hopefully I can also teach my kids to do the same.
- Thanks for teaching me that church is family. I never lived around cousins or much extended family, but I’ve always felt a bond with the church family. It has always surrounded me, and I can’t imagine doing life without it.
So this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful.
I’m thankful for my “boring” story that has always been wrapped in God’s love!
