Thanksgiving II ~

20-26 September:  This week I have been thankful for being able to breathe, breathe deeply without any effort, any obstruction - with prayers for the many who aren't able to do this; I'm thankful to be able to walk around this house without my walking-stick for support; and to remember this verse: ". . . I am the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15:26); for sunshine streaming through my windows; for the Sonlight my Father gives every day, over and over again; and for these words from the Good News Bible: "“The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings for you people who fear my name. You will go out and leap like calves let out of a stall" (Malachi 4:2); for Shelley Quinn's book "Exalting His Word" and the encouragement it gives; for all the believers who share their good times (and their struggles, too) with us in books and blogs that give the rest of us fresh zeal for the journey; and for these words from 2 Corinthians 1:20: " For all the promises of God in [Jesus] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God. . . ."; to know I am precious to my heavenly Father (Isaiah 43:4); to know that I am loved (Jeremiah 31:3); for these words from 2 Peter 1:3,4: "God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you . . . may come to share the divine nature" (Good News Translation); for another new day, for the blessings of peace and contentment that come with it; for the pattern of the Master's footsteps we've been given to make His way clear for our feet; and for this assurance: "Surely His salvation is near to those who [reverently] fear Him [and obey Him with submissive wonder], that glory [the manifest presence of God] may dwell in our {hearts}" (Psalm 85:9, AMP, adapted); for D.D.'s safe return, and D.G.D. with her; for our Father's abundant mercies toward all who put their trust in Him; and for the praise voiced in Psalm 86:5 - "For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; and abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You" (AMP); for this glorious Sabbath morning - a cloudless, sunshiny day of celebration for all the beauty our Creator has given; for a favorite Sabbath breakfast of "manna" (no, not the Exodus 16 variety, but toast with peanut-butter and warmed applesauce!); for the assurance of a day when all will bow and worship before the One who is ". . . great and do[es] wondrous works! You alone are God" (Psalm 86:10).