A Thanksgiving to Remember
by Pastor Gary Gaulton, Mission Valley FMC (San Gabriel, CA)

Thanksgiving has taken on new dimensions as I have aged. When I was a young boy, it meant eating lots of food, watching Grandma Helen prepare a meal with the other women of the clan ... and football. After Kathy and I were married, it meant trying to eat at both family gatherings and appear to be hungry, getting the kids ready ... and football.

In this season Thanksgiving takes on a fresh place in my heart. I will soon be 55 years old. I am gray haired, "a little" overweight and feel like a man in the prime of my life. When I was recently diagnosed with a blockage in my arteries, I quickly recognized that I could look at this issue in a variety of ways. My learning curve took me to the realization that my attitude before Christ was at the center of the experience.

For years I have asked people in churches and at camps to use their arms to make an "A" above their heads as a reminder that they are to have an attitude like God. Philippians 2:5 tells us that "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." The point is that Jesus, full of humility, became a servant, made Himself nothing and was obedient to God.

L to R: Pastor Gary, son David, wife Kathy, Christina and Caroline and Philip Sakanashi.

This Thanksgiving I hope you will thank God for the opportunity given you to choose your attitude. How do we respond to others who are weak, in pain, less fortunate, abused and hungry, or who have not yet found God? They are your friends, people at church, family members, salesclerks and the people you meet in passing. Be thankful to God, and show it in love toward others.

P.S. If you have not heard, later tests showed no blockage whatever. The doctor said, "Your prayers must have been answered." I am extremely grateful to the Lord.*

*Editor's Note: Here is Pastor Gaulton's e-mail following the astounding news that the blockage was gone.

Pastor Gary Gaulton and his blue hair that raised $3000 for missions at their 2003 Redwood family camp.

Hello all,

Thank you for your prayers, calls and conversations regarding my tests. The doctor called me today and said that there is no blockage in any arteries, and that my heart and the blood flow to it are very good. When I first heard the news I was stunned. I thought, How can this be — did he make a mistake? I asked the doctor what he thought had happened, and he told me he has done more than 10,000 of the original treadmill tests, and he actually thought I had at least one blocked artery and maybe more up to 80-90 percent blocked. He had talked to me about a stent or stents being inserted. He had encouraged me to go immediately to the emergency room if I started having certain symptoms. He adjusted my medication. We talked about a possible bypass — depending on the severity of the blockage. At the end of our conversation today he said, "Well, Gary, I guess your prayers were answered."

I was shaken. I was in my car and needed to pull off the road to stop and pray and thank God for this healing. All along while I had been praying, I had been asking for healing and for God to use this in my life and the life of His church. I honestly hope and pray that God will use this healing to bring glory to His name.

We often wonder about miracles and healing today. Well, this doctor and I were both shaken by this wonderful news. I have no idea why God picked me — in this case or in offering His grace to me 22 years ago. Let's never give up hope in what God can do in any of our lives or in those of people we know.

I have no idea what happened. All I know is what I've experienced. I praise God for this new revelation in my life. Thank you all for your prayers — they were answered. God's kingdom will move on because of Jesus and His healing work in many of our hearts and lives.

God bless you all.

Love,
Gary