Thanksgiving IV ~

26 February-4 March:  Last week I was thankful for another fresh coat of white on the ground - a pleasure for the eyes (not so much,though, for driving or walking!); thankful that there are only 23 days until Spring arrives; and thankful for God's words as recorded in Isaiah 46:9,10: "Remember the prior things—from long ago; I am God, and there’s no other. I am God! There’s none like me, who tells the end at the beginning, from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My plan will stand; all that I decide I will do'" (CEB), His Word is sure!  I was thankful for another new day of life, and and strength to see me through its tasks; thankful for the up-to-date forecasts of the weather in whatever part of the country is home; and I am thankful for this counsel from 1 John 3:18-20: " My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves" (MSG); thankful for the memories that are stored in my head- what a blessing comes from the practice of thanksgiving, for the happy memories are reinforced and those less happy fade; thankful to be able to remember so many of the hymns and songs I've learned over past years - making melody in my heart is always a good thing; and thankful for the assurance in Paul's message to Timothy that can be found in 2 Timothy 1:7, where we read: "The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control" (ERV); thankful for all the wildlife outside my window - Goldfinches, House Finches, Juncos and one of the squirrels that enjoys dining at the feeders - what fun! I'm thankful to be another month closer to warmer weather; and I am thankful for this beautiful affirmation from Psalm 73:25,26: "What else do I have in heaven but You? Since I have You, what else could I want on earth? My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; He is all I ever need" (GNT); thankful for another night of sound sleep - and the privilege of waking alert and ready for a new day; I'm thankful to be a part of my Father's big family the here and now, with His promise for a forever life with Him when Jesus returns to take us home; and I am thankful to read Paul's description of that day in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, where he wrote: ". . . If we believe that Jesus died and rose-up, so also God will bring with Him the ones having fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we— the ones living, the ones remaining until the coming of the Lord— will in-no-way precede the ones having fallen asleep. Because the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shouted-command, with a voice of an archangel, and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise-up first. Then we— the ones living, the ones remaining— will be snatched-up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall always be with the Lord" (DLNT); thankful to see a lot of blue skies from my window; I'm thankful for the heavenly sunlight that fills my heart; and I am thankful to find this message in Revelation 3:5, where we read: "Everyone who wins the victory will be dressed in white clothes like them. I will not remove their names from the Book of Life. I will say that they belong to Me before My Father and before His angels" (ERV); as always, thankful for the blessings of the Sabbath - this weekly reminder of our loving Creator and His desire to spend time with His people; I'm thankful for the promises we can find in God's Word and thankful to to know that what He promises, He will do; and I am thankful to read these words from Joshua 1:9 which tell us: "Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go" (NIRV).