Thanksgiving II ~

21 -27 December:  This week I have been thankful for the joy of anticipation - looking forward to the Christmas "Open House" with family and friends; for the beauty of things assembled from natural objects - greenery, wood fragments, moss - by someone who has an artist's eye for design; thankful to the Creator who has given such a bounty of beautiful things; so thankful on a rainy morning for a roof over my head - a roof with no leaky places is a blessing not everyone knows; for the delight of time spent with dear ones through the Christmas season.  I am especially grateful for all who remain at their posts of duty while the rest of us are celebrating the season - so here's a big "Thank you!" to the peace officers, firefighters, health-care professionals, and all the others in essential services who keep our communities running smoothly while we play or rest; thankful for the reminder that my posts need to be done before the day has ended - a wakeful night and late starting rush to get to ETC. caused a jumble in the thought department; thankful for a profitable day at the thrift-shop; excited to see Dandee after he gets home from his first visit to the doggie-salon; I'm thankful for all my family and friends who remember the reason we celebrate Christmas - one of my grand-daughters posted a cartoon showing the Flintstone family gathered 'round a Christmas tree and the caption read, "What are they celebrating?" - good question.  If not for Jesus, why?  I'm thankful, too, for the beauty of our little community - all lit up and sparkling with lights; and for its reminder that, for our heavenly Father, His children ". . . shine as lights in the world" Philippians 2:15.  I am thankful that, some 2000 years ago, there was One who was willing to lay aside His heavenly privileges  to become forever connected to the human race - a Savior who was born to die for a world in rebellion.  I am thankful that today His tomb is empty; and thankful to be one of those awaiting His promised return - ". . . I will come again",  He said, "and receive you unto Myself, that where I am there you may be also" John 14:3.  I'm thankful for each new day of life and for the bountiful supply of all that I need; for the measure of health and strength that remains; for the marvelous grace, the enduring mercy poured out for me morning by morning.  I an grateful for all the blessings of this week - the affection of family and friends and all I need; for the generous provision of the family for whom I shall - God willing - be house-sitting through the winter months; for another precious Sabbath-day, God's own memorial of His works of creation and redemption (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11: Deuteronomy 5:15).