For what will I give thanks this year? Will it be for a President for whom I did not vote and whom I opposed? Will it be for the bail out of the financial system that greed and stupidity made inevitable? Will it be the great University of Texas that removed a well-qualified, creative professor from the Western Civilization program because of his pro-American stance?

Will it be for a socialist leaning congress on the verge of passing a devastating health care bill? Will it be for the Service Employees International Union threatening to sue the city of Allentown, Pennsylvania for allowing a Boy Scout to clean up a local park to earn a merit badge? Will it be for the closing to the GuantanamoBay detainee center? Will it be for the 20% decrease in the value of my home? Will it be for CNN and rest of what Rush Limbaugh calls the “state run media.” Will it be for the rapidly developing super churches like that of Pastor Joel Osteen that at best give verbal allegiance to God?

The answer is yes!

I will give thanks for all these diverse and frustrating events, movements and personalities. Why? I will give thanks for three reasons. First, the Apostle Paul has instructed me to give thanks in all things. Second, because my God is sovereign. He is in control and he is working out his purposes through all men and all things. Third, my God is just and in his time will execute justice.

I will also give thanks for the privilege of being born into the greatest nation on earth. I will give thanks for the generosity of those who have financially and prayerfully supported the educational institutions that enabled a poor boy of immigrant decent to gain a superior education.

I will thank God for those who taught me to appreciate the godly foundation for this nation and the value of a republic. I will thank God for the young couple that took me under wing and modeled for me what the many facets of the Christian life should look like.

I will thank God for a praying mother who gave me the wonderful gift of teaching me how to forgive those who persecute me.

I will give thanks for seven generals in the Lord’s army under whom I have served.

I will thank God for my wife and my family and His marvelous grace in bringing them to faith.

I will thank God for fifty years of Christian service.

I will thank God for the wonderful spouses he brought into the lives of my children. I will thank God for eight grandchildren.

So you see, this unique American political/religious holiday will be filled with thanksgiving even when I turn on the six o’clock news and hear the next disappointing episode in the current American saga.

Please join me in giving thanks in all things!

Howard Eyrich
Eden Ridge
Birmingham, Ala.