Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Thankful you’re here

This week's column is written by Aaron Gravett

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,”  Philippians 1:3-4

A long time ago as a youth pastor of about 35 teens, I had a night that surprised me when only four came. It set me into a bad mood and the four that came could feel it. Then God spoke - through a teen - but He spoke.

She said, “You’re so frustrated that all the rest aren’t here, but you don’t have to take it out on the ones that showed up.”  Ouch - it was like God took me to the woodshed and disciplined me. What she spoke was truth, and I quickly apologized to the ones that were there.

Here I am, 26 years later, and I still get very frustrated and sad for some that I love so very much that don’t want to be a part of my life. Some of these are the ones I never thought would distance themselves from me, and it tears me up inside and brings me to tears on occasion. It is important for me to remember the words of that young teen - “You’re so frustrated that all the rest aren’t here, but you don’t have to take it out on the ones that showed up.” Yes, it’s sad to think of those that aren’t close to me that I love so much, but there is no way I’m going to take it out on the ones that choose to love me and be in my life. They all need to know how thankful I am for them.

If you are married, the one that you should feel that thankfulness the most about is your spouse. I love and am so very thankful for my wife Tiffany. 

She is my best friend, my favorite person, my love, my wife, my one flesh and my ministry partner. She encourages me, supports me and pours Christ’s light into me, and I for her. She didn’t have to be in my life, but she chose to. 

So, look around your life. Sure, there are some, and maybe many who you love and who choose not to be a part of your life. There are others though - your spouse, parents, siblings, children, other family members and friends that choose to be in your life. Find your love in those relationships, for that is what life is all about. Let those remind you of the ultimate one that wants to be a part of your life - Jesus Christ. He loves you so much that we can’t even imagine it. It just takes saying “yes” to Him and all that He is for that relationship to start. 

So instead of being so sad about those that choose not to be close to you, be so thankful for the ones that do and enjoy them to the fullest. Tell the ones around you and tell them often, “I’m thankful you’re here.”