My Year of Thanksgiving

This week has been another with many things for which to be thankful: restful sleep, and waking to a fresh,new day; everyday blessings of clean air to breathe and clean water to drink; for diminishing muscle aches; for the random information that made me check for prescription side effects.  I am full of thanks for this time of year when the thoughts of many are on the Jesus story; for the beauties of the season - the colorful lights, Christmas wreaths, poinsettias in all their glory - and for beautiful music stored in memories of past Christmases; for the gifts which everyday fill my life with peace and beauty; for the matchless gift of Jesus, who laid aside all the privileges of His heavenly position to become one of Adam's race, to live and die that we can be saved from sin and all its penalties and to restore in each willing soul the person our Creator dreamed for us to be.  I am thankful, too, for increasing strength and energy; for the promise of a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26); for the invitation to cast all my cares on the One who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) and loves me; for the preparation day that frees up Sabbath hours for worship and praise; for a "lighting place" for Stef, Curt, and family; for streaming video of Sabbath services in far-away places; for this weekly Sabbath reminder that God is Creator (Exodus 20:11) and that it is His strong arm that is still able to deliver (Deuteronomy 5:15).