Thanksgiving II ~

19-25 April:  I'm thankful for restful sleep - and this new day filled with anticipated blessings; for the blessing of friends gathered for study, worship, and praise; for this last week of the house-sitting adventure - glad for the opportunity of assisting some dear folk during their winter away from the cold, but very happy to be resuming my spot with D.D. and her family; for the beauty of these early morning hours, the peaceful quietness, and the promise of blessing to come; for the colorful flowers on the patio in pots - what a delight; and I'm always thrilled by the glory of spring here in Riggins, from the first flowers on the forsythia through the magnolia blossoms and fruit trees in blossom, to the joyous burst of the red dogwood now blooming - all praise to our Creator for the beauty of this earth!  I'm thankful that the big noise that wakened me one morning was not an intruder but only the resident feline dislodging the foam-board that mostly blocks the path in-out of the upper floor; for clear memories of happy times through my life that bring renewed delight as they are "seen" again; for the "gifts of the Holy Spirit" (Galatians 5:22,23) seen in the lives around me; for sound sleep and rest after the previous night of wakefulness - so glad the insomnia issues are only intermittent; thankful for a day to gather items not in use before my departure to be returned to my spot later this afternoon; and thankful for the beautiful promise of Jeremiah 31:3 - "The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:'Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you'"; for this thought from the "100 Days of Prayer" reading:
"Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work.
These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, the burdened heart will be lightened.
Not a pause for a moment in His presence, but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him—this is our need.” E.G.W. Education, p. 261
I'm thankful that ALL are invited to be "workers" and have a part in this experience; and thankful, too, that our Father reminds us of His pleasure as we choose to be in this relationship; thankful to be going home after four months "visiting" in this grand house while the owners are wintering in a more southerly climate; thankful to have a greater "going home" awaiting me when Jesus comes again (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17); and thankful that all who WILL are invited to be part of that glorious home-coming!  I am so thankful to be back home in my own cozy spot, sleeping in my own bed; thankful to be celebrating another Sabbath, a reminder of our Creator's marvelous work in building our planet from a shapeless mass (Genesis 1:2) by His powerful spoken Word (Psalm 33:6); and for the glad song in my heart.
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