Hello everyone!
I’ve been thinking about what I should write about for my next post, and after I tweeted about it (which you can follow me at @realBlakeBeye on Twitter), one of my followers said that I should write about what I’m thankful for.
After giving it much thought, I decided hey, why not. I should write about that. Many times I spend a great deal complaining and not being thankful for what I have in my life.
I’ve decided to post the top 10 things that I am thankful for in my life. Not only will I be posting the top 10 things I’m thankful for, but this article will be a preview of the next 10 posts that I am going to write about, and go in depth on why I am thankful for every one of these things.
Warning label for this post; I’m going to get real with all of you. I’m going to share with you situations in my life that are difficult for me to talk about, but the more that I can be transparent with all of you, the more that I hope my struggles will help those who are hurting or need help.
Let’s begin:
My Faith.
I am thankful for my faith and belief in Jesus Christ. I am proud to call myself a believer and follower in Him, and quite honestly I would be more of a mess if I didn’t have a relationship with Him. Being a Christian isn’t easy, there are many times that I am troubled or feel discouraged. However, I am reminded in the Gospel of John when Jesus told his disciples that “in this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).
He doesn’t say you might have trouble, or that you could have trouble, he tells his followers that they will have trouble; that they’re going to face times of hardship and times of strife. Things are going to get tough for them. And that’s the same for us.
I believe that Jesus wouldn’t want us to focus on the negative things that are happening in our lives, but how things are good, and how those bad things are actually good in the long run. This is why my faith is at the top of the list of importance for me.
I don’t claim to be perfect, and I know that I never will be. I know that I continue to struggle in certain areas of my life, but one thing will always be true, is that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and I try my best to look to him when times are both good, and when times are bad.
My Family.
My family is very important to me, and I love being able to spend time with them as much as I can. My parents are an absolute godsend and a blessing. They have put up with me for the last 31 years that I’ve been alive, and I couldn’t be more thankful for them. They have literally put aside their own needs to help me in ways that I can never repay them back, and for that I am eternally grateful for the both of them.
I have been truly blessed to have parents that have given me an example of not only how to be a married couple, but great parents. Growing up, I thought I was smarter than them (which I’m sure they could tell you stories), yet looking back, they knew exactly what they were doing, and I couldn’t be more thankful for their leadership and I’m so proud to call them their son.
I’m also proud of both my younger brothers and my sister-in-law. Growing up, I probably bullied my brothers a little too much, and quite honestly I regret that. I was a power hungry drama filled child and teenager. I couldn’t be more proud of both of them now. We’ve all developed a tight bond even though we’re all in different cities and states. I would do anything for them, and I love them very much.
As I shared in my previous article, Memorial Day to me was all about spending time with family. My extended family on both sides are very close, so I cherish getting to spend time with them with every chance I get. Whether it’s playing Canasta with my dad's side of the family on Memorial Day weekend/Labor Day Weekend, or playing Dominoes with my mom’s side of the family (grandma cheats), I love every minute of it.
My Friendships
I am really thankful for all the friendships and connections that I have made over the years. These are the people have helped shape who I am and the path that I have put myself on!
To my college friends and most importantly my best friends, who I will refer to as T and D, thank you for being the best friends a guy could ask for. Thank you for putting up with me but also standing by my side when I need it the most.
To my high school friends, thank you guys for being great friends, and helping me form the path I’m currently on now. I always enjoy getting to spend time with you guys when I can. You guys will always have a special place in my heart!
To my online friends, thank you for always having my back. Many times I will say something stupid online, and I look to you guys to come in and have my back (even when you tell me to resign.) You guys are the best and I’m so proud to call you all friends!
My Job
I’ve been blessed to work for a Ford car dealership in Hillsboro now for almost 3 years. To say that I’ve been blessed to work there is an understatement. I work with some of the most incredible people and I couldn’t be more proud to call them co-workers.
With that being said, I’ve been very thankful to be working for Hillsboro Ford. The family I work for are great people, and I am so thankful for them in many ways. They’ve given me an opportunity to work, grow, and better myself.
Since COVID-19, the car business has taken a giant hit, but I’ve been thankful to still receive a paycheck and work for them! We’ve got a great family and team working here, and I’m so proud to be working with every single one of my them!
I can’t wait to share with you guys the big things that are happening with Ford and the future of the dealership!
My Church(s)
Zoar MB Church: Growing up, I attended with my family, Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church, in my hometown of Inman Kansas. It was through this church that I gave my life to Jesus, and began my walk with Christ. My then Youth Pastor, D, (who then became my head pastor) was intrical in guiding me and challenging me in my early walks with Christ.
Since graduating College in 2014, I had a bit of a falling out. I stopped going to church and engaged in sinful culture desires, some of which I still struggle with to this day.
Grace Crossing Church: During the years of 2015-2016, after I had walked away from my faith, I met Pastor J. He told me about this church in Moundridge KS, (and if you’re from Inman KS, you know that was the arch rival town). I immediately connected with the church and started going back regularly. Grace was a huge part in helping me find my way back to Jesus, giving me an opportunity to serve and to use my musical gifts and talents to praise Jesus! I will forever be thankful and grateful for that community, and I hope to visit them again soon.
Hillsboro MB Church: Ever since I moved back to Hillsboror, I wanted to find ways that I could get more involved with the community and that meant finding a church here in town that I could plug in and get connected with. It was an easy transition for me (after I took a 6 month break) since it was the church that I attended during college and right after. Since then, I’ve been able to connect with some longtime friends and families, and being able to serve in the HMBC family once again!
My Doctor
I’ll never forget Easter Sunday of 2021. I had been indulging in a very bad diet, drinking tons of caffeine, pop, alcohol and other bad food and drinks. I was taken to the hospital after faining at my parents house and being unable to bring my blood pressure down and getting dehydrated.
I owe my life to my doctor that day, because there were times as I was laying in the hospital bed, I wasn’t sure that I was going to make it, or that things were going to get really worse. Since that day, I haven’t touched caffeine or pop, and I’ve lost almost 50 lbs, my blood pressure is almost back to normal, and I’ve had no incidents since then.
This is where I wanted to get real with all of you; my doctor has noticed something that I’ve since tried to correct, and that’s drinking. A year ago, after my hospital visit, I had to get an ultrasound due to a high liver enzyme count. I got good news on that remark that it was just a fatty liver, but not gonna lie, it’s been really tough to correct that habit. I’m working hard to kick it and I credit my doctor for alerting me to the problem.
My Home
Nearly 3 years ago, I made the decision to move back to Hillsboro Kansas, the city I spent my college days. A small town in the middle of Kansas; it reminded me of where I grew up, and it has many connections to my home town.
3 years later, I couldn’t be more blessed to have a great place to live, a roof over my head, great landlords, neighbors and an all around great community.
Given that the price of living right now with inflation being high, I am blessed and thankful that my cost of living isn’t totally breaking my bank account.
City Council Position
In late 2019, a novel Coronavirus had been discovered in Wuhan, China. Since then, our world has been completely different. From lockdowns, to mandates, our federal, state and local governments pounced on the opportunity to strike fear in the hearts of its citizens.
It was the Covid-19 pandemic mask mandate in the City of Hillsboro that made me really think about actually getting into politics. Since 2015, I’d always been fascinated with politics, but I never would’ve thought that I would actually decide to run for office.
I was approached by one of the local County Commissioner and his wife (who’s seat I would end up taking on the Council) about running for the next City Council election. After giving it a considerable amount of thought, I decided to run. I was able to win the election in Nov. 2021 after running unopposed and I got sworn in January of 2022.
I can’t wait to share with you in a later article on the wins that we’ve been able to accomplish in my 6 months in office! (No I will not be resigning)
Living in a Free Society
Many times, we take for granted the country that we live in. Despite its flaws, inflation skyrocketing and gas prices killing us at the gas pump; the fact of the matter is that we still live in the greatest and freest country on the face of the Earth.
In the Bill of Rights, I think we take for granted the 1st and 2nd Amendment. Most countries around the world don’t have these Amendments or any such rights to begin with. It is clear that the Founders valued free speech and the right to defend yourself.
I don’t want this post to get into a gun debate; I’d be happy to discuss this in a separate post about why I believe the 2nd Amendment shouldn’t be discarded, but it’s clear that the Founders recognized the importance of being able to defend ourselves.
It’s also great that we live in a country where we are free to speak our minds, even if we disagree with others. That’s why the 1st Amendment is so important, and why we should keep the Big Tech platforms, that are also American Companies, accountable for silencing free speech.
My Guitars/ music passion
Ever since I was a young kid, I was always fascinated with music. My mom's side of the family are all very musically gifted, and it made sense to me why I would love it as well. I began learning piano at an early age, but then I got into playing guitar and getting lessons from my Great Aunt around my sophomore year of High School.
Years later, I humbly consider myself an experienced guitar player, playing acoustic, electric and recently bass guitar. Sticking to mostly worship music, I’ve dabbled in coffee shop music, country music, and as of recently classic rock!
Playing the guitar is very therapeutic to me. It feels like every time I pick it up, I am transported to a different world that shuts out all the negativity and distractions of the world.
Since I started playing, I’ve been able to learn how to sing, and eventually lead worship in churches, college, and even local Bible study settings. My guitars might be the most valuable things that I own and if anything happened to them, I would weep.
In conclusion:
These are the top ten things that I am thankful for. I appreciate all of you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope that it helps you to think about the things that you can be thankful for in your own lives.
As I stated at the beginning of this article, I’m going to focus the next 10 Substack posts going in depth on the things that I stated that I’m thankful for; this was just a taste of what is to come.
Thank you all for the continued support for me on this new platform. I'm looking forward to sharing with all of you my thoughts and opinions facing this world!
God bless!