The problem I have with gratitude…

The problem I have with gratitude—is when I don’t practice it.

Sure, it’s easy for me to be grateful for good weather.

Black coffee.

Football season.

The economy-sized bag of Craisins at Costco.

My 70s and 80s music playlists. (When people made music the way God intended.)

Did I mention black coffee?

But here’s the problem.

Alongside the things that make me smile or make my life more comfortable, it’s easy to forget to be grateful for the things that matter most.

This weekend I want to call out one of the things.

Because it’s easy for me to forget…

The people who said goodbye to their families.

Stretched and sacrificed beyond their limits.

Stormed beaches.

Endured incredible hardship.

And then never came home.

They were sons, daughters, moms, dads, and spouses who gave up their tomorrows for my todays.

It’s also easy to forget the men and women who served their country but then brought demons, addictions, and diseases back home and lost their lives after their service had ended.

And so I’m taking time to reflect—and thank God—for the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice—all so that I can be free.

I’m also taking time to reflect on the shockingly long list of freedoms I enjoy today—all thanks to their sacrifice.

Please join me.

Take time to reflect. Say a prayer of gratitude.

And then be sure to thank the special men and women who keep their legacy alive by serving and defending today.

Here’s the beautiful part. When you take time to practice gratitude—and when you reflect and pour out that same gratitude on the people around you—YOU make a difference, too.

God bless you, my friend. Happy Memorial Day.

With gratitude,

John Alan

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