Lots of thoughts, one post

Our church community talked today about the things we are thankful for, focusing on the past year of our lives. Many of us are thankful for each other and who we are as a group, our jobs, our families, our children.
Kate agreed with all of those, but also said she was thankful for me. Obviously, I am thankful for her as well, but she focused on the qualities of mine that I do not dwell on or even believe that I have.
I owe all of that change over the past two years or so to God, but some credit is due to the men I meet with on a regular basis that those of you who read this are probably tired of hearing about. But meeting with them, walking through life together and working on our junk has given me a mission for my life and a focus for who I am in Christ and how to be that man every day.
One of the many things I am thankful for is the ministry I have with those men, which has been sparked by the two weekend getaways we held this year, which resulted in the transformation of the lives of nearly 40 men. Every time I experience one of these weekends (four now), I come away amazed at the power of the Holy Spirit to move and work actively in people's lives. Witnessing the Spirit work, as it is happening, is one of the most incredible feelings I have ever had. Knowing that this happens daily blows me away.
I got to see the Spirit move this weekend, as well, watching Kate preach the gospel to 500 high school students at a Young Life retreat. I knew she could do it, and I have heard her give the same message before, but God spoke through her in ways I haven't seen, giving her the courage to speak truth and the words that kids needed to hear. I want to go on and on bragging about her and how proud of her I am, but I also know that it was 100 percent God using her to send that message and change the lives of dozens of kids.
I suppose the point I am making is the same as Kate's message to the kids this morning, that God is alive and active, in the form of the Holy Spirit that he gives each of those who have committed their lives to Him. He does amazing things, performing miracles every day, including softening my heart and making me a man excited to serve others, especially my wife.