At a staff meeting this past month, each Gateway Woods team member had the opportunity to take a few seconds to share some things for which they are thankful. Many wonderful responses were given, and one in particular stood out.

After dozens of staff stated how thankful they were for family, friends, homes, opportunities, health, and more, one staff member stated that he was thankful for all of the things that he did not know. He went on to explain, "I'm thankful for what I don't know. I'm thankful that I don't know what it's like to have a father that beats me, or a mother that steals from me to support her drug habits, or brothers and sisters that I barely know."

As you spend time giving thanks over the next few days, try to remember to give thanks for the things that you don't know.

It was a sobering moment as we considered the truth of what was said. Most of us in that room have never personally known the things that many of the children we serve can never forget. While we see it daily, we have never experienced it the way they have. It was also a reminder of why we do what we do. We pray that we can help break the cycle for hurting teens and families, so that one day their children can grow up in a totally different environment—one that breeds joy and life, instead of pain and brokenness.

As you spend time giving thanks over the next few days, try to remember to give thanks for the things that you don't know.

We hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.