My Year of Thanksgiving ~

16-22 November:  This week I've been thankful for the hymns of faith and praise available to us today - some beautiful contemporary songs, some echoing centuries of praise; for this season of thanksgiving as many are forming a chorus of praise for the blessings of the year; for meeting the sisters who were visiting the G'ville services last Sabbath - may we continue to be an encouragement to each other; for all our heavenly Father does to meet my needs - even before they arise - He has never failed to take care of me; for His promise is, ". . . before you call, I will answer you, and while you are yet speaking, I will hear" Isaiah 69:24; for His continuing acceptance of us as we grow older and our abilities decrease - we have His word, "Even to your old age . . . and even to gray hairs I will carry you.  I have made and I will bear, even I will carry, and will deliver you" Isaiah 46:4; for the blessing of volunteering at ETC. - meeting folk from the community and helping to support the After School Kids program here; for the blessing of being here with family - what a privilege!  I'm thankful, too, for the conviction that our prayers for others can bring a blessing to them and to their loved ones; for sharing the assurance the psalmist expresses in Psalm 140, where it reads ". . . I know the Lord will . . . give justice to the poor.  Surely righteous people are praising Your name; the godly will live in Your presence" vss. 12,13; for many things to accomplish on this "anti-procrastination day".  I am so grateful for the seasons focus on thanksgiving rather than the usual complaints about all life's little difficulties - what a blessing to read "I'm thankful for . . . ." instead; for my "babies" upcoming grand celebration of fifty circuits 'round the sun come Tuesday next; very thankful we don't have the "lake effect" snow Buffalo, NY was having; for the promises in the Word; for an invitation to ride along with my sis as she drove to McCall; for each new day of life and its covering of grace; for days of rain to water growing things - may the Spirit rain freely on us as we gather in various places to seek our Father's face, to worship before Him today; for the psalms of David, songs of needs like our own and a trust in Your steadfast love; for the beauty and encouragement of the snow (Isaiah 1:18).