Most Thanksgivings in the Wainwright household look the same: We get as many family members together as we can and put out a huge spread of food to devour. And I love love love food. But who doesn’t? There’s something about food that brings people together—it’s Biblical! You can look back at the Last Supper and even before that to see that people are brought together by food.

When I was growing up, we used to go to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving, I looked forward to catching big bass out back at the pond, and of course, the meal. We always had some sort of honey-baked ham and a roast turkey. Now, my wife, who is an amazing cook, puts all the fixings together better than anyone else in the world. Meanwhile, I’m stationed at the fryer . . . there’s something just so manly about standing outside and frying a turkey.

We always make a huge mess, but we do it right and have a lot of fun with it. What’s better than crushing a massive spread of food then propping your feet up and passing out on the couch in front of a couple of NFL games?

But Thanksgiving is not just about food and sports, it’s a time to stop and recognize the many things that God has blessed us with.

Last year, I tore my Achilles and had baseball taken away from me. A few years ago I injured my elbow and, needing surgery, had baseball taken away from me. One constant for me during these times has been my family and friends. They have been such a rock for me through these and so many other struggles. Looking back at these moments helps me realize that though baseball is great—I love playing it, coaching it, and talking about it—it’s not everything. Baseball doesn’t define me. The struggles that I’ve gone through as a player, a man, a father, and a husband make me realize that my friends and family are almost always there for me, and for that, I am truly thankful.

My wife is the most wonderful person for me—she’s the world’s best wife! But even she has not been able to match the steadfastness and peace that I experience from following the footsteps of our Lord Jesus.

I’ve played in the League for 11 years now, and I’m really proud of that, I love baseball, but even if I never played baseball, if I never met this wonderful woman or had four amazing daughters who have each added so much to my life—if none of that ever happened, I know I’d be OK because my life on earth is just a small grain of sand on the endless beach that is the eternity I’ll be spending with our Lord in heaven.

We all have ups and downs in our lives; the one constant is Jesus. He is always there—He always has been and He always will be.

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” —Psalm 107:8-9

On Thanksgiving, when we gather all the family members in one room, I love to pray and give thanks to our Lord. I want my kids to hear me explain why we should be thankful and how cool it is to be together as a family in the same way that Jesus got together with His disciples. I love to demonstrate God’s love to my family members, especially the ones who knew me before I had given my life over to Christ so that they can see the power of God at work in my heart.

On Thanksgiving, we have the opportunity to share the love of Christ by celebrating all that He has done and all that He will do. He’s not going anywhere.

—Adam Wainwright

Adam Wainwright is a regular contributor to The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Adam’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/adamwainwright/

If you enjoyed this article, please share: