Thanksgiving IV ~

28 May-3 June:  This week I have been thankful for the gifts of parenting - the assurances of prayers answered, growing patience, abundant love, and so much more; thankful to remember those whose lives have been sacrificed so this nation remains free; and thankful for this reminder from Psalm 46:10 where we read: “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” (VOICE); thankful for all whose lives have been sacrificed to preserve our freedoms; thankful for all who are serving in the military right now; and thankful for the provisions our God has made for those who enlist in His army, equipment listed in Ephesians 6:13-17: ". . . Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God." (TLB) - may we all be so equipped; thankful for the gifts of life and the measure of health that I'm enjoying; thankful for the continuing whispers that hourly remind me to get up and move around the house, or out-of-doors - I've always been too comfortable cozying up in a quiet corner after the days little tasks have been accomplished; and thankful to read these words in Psalm 56:4 - words that echo my own thoughts: ". . . When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in You. Yes, I will trust the promises of God. And since I am trusting Him, what can mere man do to me?" (TLB); thankful for the delightful beauties of springtime - the regrowth out of dormancy and blossoms everywhere; thankful for the promise of edible fruit in many of those blossoms; and  thankful for the promise of Jesus returning, just as He said, as the apostle Paul describes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17: " For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet-call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever." (TLB); thankful for the showers that have come in the night to moisten the earth and to know that the showers will be followed by days of sunshine; thankful for rest, even when sleep is less sound than I'd like; and thankful to be looking forward to the day this promise from Revelation 21:2-4 is fulfilled: " And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away"; thankful to be alive on a glorious, sunshine-y morning, with parts moving as brain directs; thankful to perceive self to be part of the family of God on this planet, with a vast number of sisters and brothers as well; and thankful for the message of Hebrews 9:27,28 where we read: ". . . Just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." (HCSB); thankful for another glorious Sabbath morning , with opportunity for study, prayer, praise, and worship with sisters and brothers; thankful for the delicious, homemade meal the visiting son provided yesterday; and thankful to read these words of wisdom from Proverbs 15:1,2 which tell us: " A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable. . . ." (AMP).