I LOVE THANKSGIVING

What a great holiday! I've written a lot in the past about this great celebration about being thankful for God's provisions for us. A holiday that focuses on Him and food and family and football--in that order! How wonderful is that?

But I promised that I would reveal my answer to the question "What event in my life would I like to replay in slow motion?". I didn't even have to narrow it down, though about 10 different ones came to mind. Most family related, some sports related, even one work related. But the commonality of them all was God's presence. So on Thanksgiving 2009, it's only appropriate that I divulge my answer.

In 2006, 26 of us went on a trip to Israel. In the Jordan River I was re-baptized, or I received my second baptism. And that was the event in my life.

Nine o'clock in the morning that day. Clouds but the sun breaking through. Where we were baptized was not the spot where Jesus was baptized by his cousin John the Baptist. That locale borders Jordan and is marked with mine fields today.

Ours at the Jordan River Baptismal Site was seemingly a long way from the showers where we changed into our white gowns and walked to the rock benches where we sat while our pastor read scripture. Nine of us proceeded into the cold water.

I was dunked and emerged and looked to the heavens. I still remember the sky, the sun peeking through, the cold almost green water and the great feeling.

It was not as if my first baptism didn't count: it certainly did, and it was on my top ten list as well. But to be baptized in the Jordan River, well, I don't know if I'd ever tire of re-playing that scene.

I'm thankful. Happy Thanksgiving!