Thanksgiving III ~

21-26 March:  This week I have been thankful for the busy squirrels outside my window - so much fun watching them (and the twitchy cats' tails INSIDE the window!); thankful for all the entertaining delights and object lessons with which the Creator has provided in the animal kingdom; and I'm thankful, too, for this message from Jeremiah 17:7,8: "Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit ' (CEB); to be in this cozy dwelling, warm and dry inside rather than damp and chilly out-of-doors; thankful for all that the Lord has done - and IS doing - for me each and every day; and for these words from Ephesians 6:10,11: "Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil" (CEB); for another day of life and strength to meet its challenges; for the "blessed hope" of a soon returning Savior; and for this message from James 1:12: "Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward"; for the books on my bedroom shelves - good friends for many years (some of them), others that are new acquaintances; for the oatmeal waiting for my breakfast; and for this promise from Malachi 3:10: "The Lord All-Powerful says, “Try this test. Bring one-tenth of your things to me. Put them in the treasury. Bring food to my house. Test me! If you do these things, I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything" (ERV); for the blessings of facebook - the quick messages from family and friends are so different from the snail-mail with which I grew up; I'm thankful to know that illness is not (generally) a forever thing; and for this message from Hosea 2:19,20: "I will promise to make you Mine forever. Yes, I will take you as My bride in what is right and good and fair, and in loving-kindness and in loving-pity. I will keep My promise and make you Mine. Then you will know the Lord" (NLV); for another Sabbath - God's chosen day to celebrate His work of making a beautiful world for His creatures; thankful, too, for feeling a bit better this morning - for the healing with which our Creator blesses those who work with His natural laws of health; and for these words from Hosea 14:2: "Bring your petition. Come to the Lord and say, 'O Lord, take away our sins; be gracious to us and receive us, and we will offer you the sacrifice of praise'" (TLB).