18-24 May: In the past week, I was thankful for all the blessings of the Father's mercy, His graces that are fresh every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24); thankful that my U. S. passport is adequate to provide "real" identification in today's world; thankful for this beautiful promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (English Standard Version); thankful for the gift of life God has granted - my 86th year has been filled with blessings galore and I'm eager for the tomorrows to be revealed; thankful for the greetings coming from family and friends; thankful for these words from Psalm 9:1-2: "O Lord, I will praise you with all my heart and tell everyone about the marvelous things you do. I will be glad, yes, filled with joy because of you. I will sing your praises, O Lord God above all gods" (The Living Bible); thankful for all the HAPPY BIRTHDAY! wishes that have arrived from family and friends far and near; thankful for feast planned with carer and driver today - what fun! I was thankful for the precious message from John 1:12: ". . . To as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—" (Amplified Bible); thankful for blue skies and sunlight gleaming from the roofs of buildings on the hill above us - promises of a fine morning; thankful for waking to enjoy this sunrise; I was thankful to echo the psalmist who wrote Psalm 31:7 where we read: "I will be glad and rejoice in Your lovingkindness, for You have seen my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities."(Modern English Version); thankful this day for the family that is seeking the beautiful and willing to invest time and resources to add to the beauty around us here; thankful to have five senses intact - to be able to see, feel the textures of the four-legged friends around me, smell different fragrances, taste, and hear - adequately when face-to-face (or to be warned with a shout!); thankful for the promise of Isaiah 46:4-5: ". . . I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you, and I will carry you to safety. Can you compare Me to anyone? No one is equal to Me. You cannot understand everything about Me. There is nothing like Me" (Easy to Read Version); thankful to live in a country where we are still free to worship God - or not - as we choose; thankful for those who are willing to go to places where this freedom is unknown and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (and for all who are supporting their efforts); thankful for the clarity of these words of Jesus from Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come." (Revised Standard Version); thankful for ALL the blessings of the week that is past; thankful for the peace that the Sabbath brings; for enough - and so much more!
