Peter and The Great Thanksgiving

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To My Savior Jesus the Christ,

"Paul, the brother and fellow servant you have given me, has done well in reminding your flock about giving thanks to you in all things. As you know, in my quiet hours, I reflect on what you have done, and I cannot fully express how thankful I am to you, but I must tell you one more time."

"Thank you, Lord, for calling me, a simple fisherman, to follow you.
Thank you, Lord, for giving me my name.
Thank you, Lord, for showing me the wonder of your work.
Thank you for explaining the life in your words when I was slow to understand and prone to second-guessing.
When storms appeared on the horizon without warning, and I feared, thank you for showing me that you are in control!
When you called me out upon the water, and I faltered, when I thought I would drown, thank you for reaching out to me amid my doubt, oh Lord, and teaching me what faith is."

"Thank you for rebuking me when I tried to box you in.
Thank you for showing me how to have a heart for the lost and needy, the widow and the orphan.
Thank you for showing me how to be humble.
Thank you for showing me the true path to your kingdom.
Thank you for the new covenant of communion with you.
Can I even thank you with any words on this earth for your sacrifice?
Thank you for defeating sin and death!
...Thank you, Lord, for the second chance I did not deserve.
Thank you for the Spirit, who has given us the power to testify of you, who reminds us of what you have taught us.
Thank you, Lord, for calling me friend."

"Even though this path you have set me on, the path I willingly walk with gladness, that will lead me where I will not want to go... I thank you that I will be in your presence again."

"All of these things and more I thank you for, my Lord and Savior.
        Your servant and friend, Peter."

Aside from Jesus, Peter is the most developed character in the Gospels. Many writers and filmmakers have a character in their film that represents the audience called the "audience surrogate." In my opinion, Peter is an audience surrogate type for the Gospels. Even though I do my best to become more and more like Christ, I can't help but identify with Peter. This little writing experiment not only reflects what I think Peter would say, but it reflects the things I am thankful for because of Christ as well.

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