Thanksgiving III ~

3-9 April:  This week I've been thankful for D.D.'s safe return after many miles of travel; for wise decisions by D.G.D.'s; and for this counsel from Psalm 107:43: "Listen, if you are wise, to what I am saying. Think about the loving-kindness of the Lord!"; for sunny afternoons that provided a lovely measure of warmth as I sat out on the patio; for a delightful lunch with two dear daughters; and for these words from Habakkuk 3:18,19: ". . . I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength . . . ."; for the many promises that are tucked inside God's Word; thankful that my vision remains good, even in the dawns early light I can read without realizing I need my lamp; and thankful for these words about light from Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey" (CEB); for the energy given to walk to the top of our street yesterday - a first for me; for the robins checking out possible nesting sites in the tree outside my window; and for the message given in the Worldwide English Bible (Luke 9:58): "Jesus said, `Foxes have holes to live in. Birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lie down to rest" - and He's given me a lovely home in my old age; for the weekly Bible study with family and friends every Wednesday evening -- what a blessing to have this time in God's Word! Thankful, too, that the re-flooring project is moving along apace, the prep work is done and the installation begins today; and thankful for this counsel from Amos 5:15: "Hate evil and love the good; remodel your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Hosts will have mercy on his people who remain" (NLT); for the precious promise of our Father who has given His word that He will NEVER leave us, NEVER forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); for strength to make it up the hill outside our door AND around the block before collapsing onto a sit-down spot - I've not done such since we've lived here; and thanking God that He's given His promise "Don’t worry—I am with you.Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you. . . . " (Isaiah 41:10, ERV); for another Sabbath - what a blessing, this weekly return of time to turn hearts and minds to our Creator and all the blessings He has provided; thankful to see the leaf-buds on the tree outside my window pregnant with new life; and thankful for these words from Hebrews 1:1-3: "Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!. . . ." (MSG).