Thanksgiving IV ~

22-28 January:  This week I have been thankful for the warm fellowship with sisters in my church family ; I'm thankful to have the choice to restore the everyday alarm function on my phone - mornings go so much better for me when they start at 0600 instead of an hour or so later; and I am thankful for the message of persistence that comes from the Holman Christian Standard Bible when reading from Matthew 7:7,8:“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened"; for a new day of life, and the strength promised for the tasks at hand; I'm thankful for lists that help me to focus on what I need to do - distractability issues do not grow less with seniority; and I am thankful for the promise found in James 1:5 where we read: ". . . Anyone who needs wisdom should ask God, whose very nature is to give to everyone without a second thought, without keeping score. Wisdom will certainly be given to those who ask" (CEB); thankful to be able to enjoy the antics of the five four-legged creatures who live with us - as well as the antics of the out-of-doors critters whose occasional appearance causes much excitement for the indoors pets; I'm thankful for Sabbath School lessons with a focus on the activities of the Holy Spirit; and I am thankful as I read the beautiful words of Isaiah 12:2, which read: "Indeed, God is my salvation; I will trust Him and not be afraid, for . . . the Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation" (HCSB); I am thankful for the D.G.D. who will be with us for a week or so; I'm always thankful as D.D. and D.S.I.L. are safe at home after work or other time on the road; and I am thankful, too, for the counsel found in Philippians 4:6-8: " Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good" (PHILLIPS); I am so thankful for the message of this quote shared on fb: "When we don’t see a change in the person for whom we are praying, it does not mean that God is not at work."  I am thankful to see D.S.I.L.'s project - a new pocket door at the end of the hallway, one of a series of projects that will create a master suite out of two bedrooms - taking on an ever more finished look (not an easy thing with a FT job and this month's need for snow removal!); I'm thankful for the family devotions at the end of the day using "Patriarchs and Prophets", a volume by one of my favorite authors; and I am thankful again for these beautiful words from Isaiah 12:2 as I read from the the King James Version, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation"; I am thankful to be facing a new preparation day with plans for a Sabbath entree - one of my favorites, Haitian Beans and Rice; I'm thankful for the promise of strength for each day; and I am thankful for the wise counsel of Ephesians 6:12, where we read: ". . . Put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious] (AMP); I am thankful this morning to be celebrating another Sabbath - our Creator's sign of His love and care for the earth and its people (Genesis 2:2,3); I'm thankful for D.G.D.'s continued presence here with us; and I am thankful, too, for these words of praise from Isaiah 25:1: "O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for You are my God; You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now You have accomplished them, just as You said!" (TLB).