So I thought it’d be a really cool idea to post a blog about being thankful on Thanksgiving day. I know, what a concept! How has no one ever thought of it before? However, I had this idea on Thursday. Before work. Then I had youth club that I help at. Then I had more work. Suddenly it’s Sunday, 4 days have passed, I’ve worked more hours than I probably should have, I’ve attended an incredibly inspirational Christian conference and I’ve got half way through my chores list (and fitted in my Sunday afternoon film) before I realised I haven’t written my thankful post.

I’ve been struggling financially recently, haven’t had time for my friends as I’ve been trying to juggle jobs to make a living, I’ve been ill with a cold, and without much time to recover, it’s hanging on longer than it probably would do otherwise. Bottom line, I’m struggling to think of something to write for a thankful post.

But yesterday it struck me, whilst I was on lunch break at the conference I was attending.

I didn’t pack a lunch to take with me, so I decided to wander around my old neighbourhood in Roath where I used to live. It’s been a long time since I walked down Albany Road, so I figured I’d grab a meal deal from Tesco and have a look in the multitude of charity shops.

I wasn’t sure where to park though. It’s been a while, and it was a busy Saturday, so I figured I’d play it safe and park by my church, which is just round the corner. As I walked past the empty building, I felt an incredible rush of gratitude and familiarity for the building. I could almost have hugged it (though that would’ve been super weird, so I didn’t).

5 years ago, when I moved to Cardiff, I would never in a million years thought I would feel this way about this little building in Roath. Hell, I didn’t even know what Roath was. It never ceases to amaze me how much my church means to me, but the rush of feelings I had when I walked past it yesterday went some of the way.

I can’t really put it into words. It was like my heart just filled up as I walked past it. The familiarity of the doors and the windows, remembering the experiences I’ve had behind those doors, and thinking on the friendships I’ve formed with the other people who frequent the building. Most importantly, the relationship I’ve built with my creator, the one and only Lord. This building was instrument to it all. Without this building, would I be where I am now? I’m quite confident the answer is no.

Then I realised, it’s not just the building I’m grateful for. It’s all those things, and the building is a symbol for them.

I am so thankful for Christ, the friends I’ve made in Him and the little church that has built me up in my faith and helped transform my life for the better.