When I was a grade schooler and Thanksgiving rolled around, we would be challenged to write a list of the things we were grateful for. A typical list included parents, home, friends, and other assorted gifts that we enjoyed. Of course, the reality is that Christmas was just a few short weeks away, and there was another list most of us were focused on.

With age, and hopefully, maturity, my Thanksgiving list of blessings has taken a decidedly different turn. Yes, I am forever grateful for the blessings of family and home. It is impossible to place too high a value on those fundamental and formative people who have shaped my life.

My Thanksgiving list has expanded to include the people who have transformed my life in meaningful ways beyond the nurture of family. I have been blessed to have people enter my life, perhaps for only a brief season who have made a lifelong impact. These are the people whose very presence challenge me to be the best I can be. These are the people who affirm my gifts and work through my inadequacies. My life has been enriched by the teachers, pastors, friends, and professional colleagues who have lived their lives in such a way that in them the Word becomes flesh.

Paul wrote the Philippians, “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you,” (Philippians 1:3-4).

The Message paraphrases it this way, “Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart.” (Emphasis added)

This expresses well my feelings of thanksgiving for those of you who have impacted and transformed my life. When I think of you, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God.

A couple of thoughts before I close. First, stop and take the time to name those persons who have made a significant impact on your life. Write down their names and thank God for the gifts they brought to you. If possible, drop them a note or make a call. You cannot say thank you too much. The people who have blessed you the most will be surprised to learn how important they have been to your spiritual growth and development. They will be genuine servants who live humbly without realizing the gifts they bring to others.

Second, accept the challenge inherent in this note to become the kind of person whose life makes a difference to those with whom you come in contact. When we live into the incarnation, we cannot help but love, bless, and bring God’s presence to those with whom we come into contact.

May the peace of Christ be with you all.