Thanksgiving XII ~

 23-29 March:  During the past week, I was thankful for each new day of life and strength to meet its challenges; thankful for the "blessed hope" of a soon returning Savior; thankful for this message from James 1:12: "Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward." (Common English Bible); thankful for the books on my bedroom shelves - good friends for many years (some of them), others that are new acquaintances; thankful for the porridge waiting for my breakfast; and thankful for this promise from Malachi 3:10: "The Lord All-Powerful says, “Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put them in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me! If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything" (Easy to Read Version); thankful to be able to sleep and rest in the night hours; thankful to know that, according to Jesus - and to others through whom the Word of God was given - what happens when our physical body stops working is dreamless sleep from which all will awake to their eternal reward when Jesus returns (John 11:11-15; Daniel 12:2); I was thankful for this message in 1 John 1:9 where it is written: "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for another night of sound sleep and the defragging that sleep provides for a weary brain; thankful to wake to a brand new day - with anticipation for seeing the blessings that will come; thankful as I read again a favorite promise from God"s Word - in Ezekiel 11:19-20 where it is written: "I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart. Then they will keep my laws and faithfully obey all my commands. They will be my people, and I will be their God." (Good News Translation); thankful for all the books that have brought blessings into my life; I'm always thankful for sound sleep, two nights in a row is a rare occurrence; thankful to know that "My help and glory are in God—granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—So trust Him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for Him. God is a safe place to be." (Psalm 62:7; Message); thankful that I have learned a bit about the beautiful KOI fish that grace ponds in many parts of the world - all from seeking for something "fancy"; thankful to the fellows in the big truck who come by every week to haul away our trash; thankful to read this message from Jeremiah 15:20-21, a message to all who are experiencing a time of uncertainty: "'... I am with you. I will help you, and I will save you.' This message is from the Lord. 'I will save you from these evil people. They frighten you, but I will save you from them.'” (Easy to Read Version);

thankful then to be keeping my weekly appointment with the Creator on the day He made holy (Genesis 2:3) and told us to remember (Exodus 20:8); thankful for the beautiful daffodils that brighten even the grayest days; and SO thankful for my Father's provision of all my needs - and many "wants" too!