A thankful Christmas

Whew! Can you believe that we have nearly made it through this year? It has certainly had its ups and downs. I could not have guessed everything that happened in 2020. Remember the fires in Australia and the pictures of the scared koala bears? Many of us are suffering the economic, health, and social consequences of COVID-19. I used to travel to visit my children and grandkids down south. I would travel for business and see exciting parts of the world. We would go to our favorite restaurants around the state and enjoy some amazing food.

One of the simple things I miss the most is shaking the hands of my wonderful patients. I miss the personal interactions I would have with them. I will admit that I began to keep a list in my mind of all the things I have NOT been able to do or all the things that I felt I could NOT do. It started to eat at me and even make me a little angry, not a spirit I wanted to have in my heart this Christmas season.

I am reminded of Johnson Oatman Jr.’s hymn from 1897, called “Count your Blessings.” One of the verses reads, “When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.” Now, more than ever, I need to recognize the blessings that I have been given this past year and not what I feel I have been missing.

Once I began counting my blessings, I saw the incredible impact that my friends and family continue to have in my life. If you feel short on blessings this Christmas season, maybe my list will remind you of the people who shape and support you.

My family is my greatest blessing. My wife, Brenda continues to be my rock as I go through life. She can see the bigger picture without minimizing my perspective. Her sacrifice and thought for others have long been traits that I admire and poorly emulate. She is the best wife, mother, and grandmother that one could ever hope for, and I know that I would be lost without her. She continues to be my better half.

I have been blessed with children who taught me humility, patience, and grace. In fatherhood, I have experienced true feelings of Christlike love. And my grandbabies have shown me the joy of being a child at any age.

I am thankful for my office staff and my wonderful patients who support me and our team. They have stuck with us through office moves, staff changes, my deployments, and more, yet their faith in us has been unwavering.

Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Armstrong served as my commander during my deployment in Iraq. I appreciated his calm leadership and thoughtful words. He had a conviction and faith that God would protect us during our deployment. He was dedicated to advocating for those under his command. I am grateful for one January day when he recommended an alternate plan that protected everyone in the company. I believe he was inspired to speak up in a difficult circumstance, and all were grateful that our lives were saved that day.

I am thankful for our country. I have visited many countries, but my heart continues to be in the good old USA. I’m grateful for the freedoms of religion, expression, and movement that I enjoy here.

The Lord blesses us continually if we will look around and recognize His hand in our lives. “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock” (ESV Deuteronomy 7:13).

This year’s Christmas gatherings may be small in size but can be big in heart. May gratitude expand your perspective and bring peace as you remember and give thanks for the blessings of this year.

Dr. John Boston is a father, husband, grandfather, local physician, member of the Mat-Su Board of Trustees and Colonel in the Alaska Air National Guard. He believes in Christ and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.