Thanksgiving V ~

10-16 June:  This week, I have been thankful for the mixed blessings of wet and dry weather - rain and sunshine - sometimes even on the same day; thankful for the love and care of my children and their spouses - not always true in some families; thankful for this counsel from Colossians 3:13-14: "As, therefore, God’s picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God Himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone. Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be truly loving, for love is the golden chain of all the virtues" (PHILLIPS); thankful for the lush greens in the foliage of the trees in our community - so restful as the days grow warmer and the grassy hills will go tawny; thankful for this promise from the Word: "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day: 'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.'” Isaiah 25:8-9; thankful NOT to see the frost warning realized - mid-June is no time for such weather; thankful to see the sunlight bouncing off dew-drops on the lawn below my window; thankful for the voice that can be heard as we pay attention to the world around us, for "God’s splendor is a tale that is told; His testament is written in the stars. Space itself speaks His story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing His skill in creation’s craftsmanship. Each day gushes out its message to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all." (Psalm 19:1-2; TPT); thankful for the privilege of believers to present our praises and petitions before the Father's throne and expect (and receive) answers to our prayers; thankful for all the promises in God's Word that reveal His personal interest in all who call on Him; thankful to recall the words of the Savior, who said: "If imperfect parents know how to lovingly take care of their children and give them what they need, how much more will the perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit’s fullness when His children ask Him.” (Luke 11:13; TPT); thankful for the peace that enfolds us though circumstances around may be troubling - sweet peace, the gift of God's love; thankful for the visit with the D.D. with whom I share this home; thankful for this message from Philippians 3:20-21 where we read: "... We are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the Saviour who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will re-make these wretched bodies of ours to resemble His own glorious body, by that power of His which makes Him the master of everything that is." (PHILLIPS); thankful for a D.G.D. who will be "showered" with gifts for the baby that's coming toward the end of this month; thankful for the promise of warmer weather to come - SOON! thankful to be able to look ahead to a time when these words from Micah 4:5-6 will come true, as God has promised: "Others may follow their gods, but we will always follow the Lord our God. The Lord said: 'At that time I will gather my people—[with] the lame and the outcasts, and all into whose lives ... sorrow [has come].'" (CEV [adapted]);  thankful for a new Sabbath in which I can join others in celebration of the Creator and His work; thankful for safe journeying as we drive and return home; and thankful for the assurance I find in these words from Psalm 103:13 where it is written: "Just as parents are kind to their children, the Lord is kind to all who worship Him." (CEV).