Thanksgiving VI ~

24 February-2 March:  This week I have been thankful for a continuing positive balance at E.O.M.; thankful for all the ways the Father continues to meet the needs in my life - nourishing food, shelter, plenty of water and fresh air, the love of family and friends - and so much more; thankful every time I consider this promise from Jeremiah 29:11-13 where it is written: "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (AMP); thankful for D.D.'s safe return from travel in this inclement, snowy weather with its hazardous driving conditions; thankful for the fresh flavor of the baby tangerines she brought back with her; thankful to read this reply from our Savior to a questioner: "“Teacher, which is the most important commandment ....?” Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" (NLT); thankful that our Father God has given me - US! - the privilege of being adopted as His own (John 1:12); thankful to read the words from Jesus recorded in John 6:37 - "... Whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away."; and thankful, too, for this message in 1 John 4:9 where it is written: "God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him." (NLT);  thankful that the Father has promised "While the earth remains seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22}; thankful there are only a few more days 'til the Vernal Eqinox: thankful for these words from 1 John 3:17-19 where we read: "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 those who've asked for prayers and that our Father knows our specific needs when we come to His feet in prayer; thankful that D.D. is traveling with another teacher as they make their way to the school over wintry roads; thankful to think on this message from 2 Timothy 1:6-8 where it is written: "I often think of that genuine faith of yours ,,,, Because you have this faith, I now remind you to stir up that inner fire which God gave you .... For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and a sound mind." (PHILLIPS); thankful to have wakened a few minutes early to begin the day's preparation activities for Sabbath; thankful to have had several requests for prayer (and SO glad to know the Father is listening for our prayers!); thankful that my heart echos these words from Psalm 73:25-26 where we read: "Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." (NLT); thankful to be able to celebrate a new Sabbath with family and friends, enjoying this precious time of study, worship, and fellowship with the sisters and brothers in our Grangeville church;  thankful for the strength our Father provides to meet the needs of each day; and thankful to trust the One who is my faithful guide, who - when I've wandered - finds me and restores me to His path “... He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold." (Job 23:10; NLT).