Thanksgiving VII ~

2-8 December: This week, I was thankful for a good sleep in my own bed - visiting out of town is delightful, but it is good to be home; thankful for the daily recounting of Gods gifts with Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts"; thankful for the way Hebrews 1:1-2 is translated by The Voice: "Long ago, at different times and in various ways, God’s voice came to our ancestors through the Hebrew prophets. But in these last days, it has come to us through His Son, the One who has been given dominion over all things and through whom all worlds were made."  I was thankful to see sunlight thru' my curtains - sunshine always makes me happy!  I was thankful for the moisture in the blanket of snow, and how I appreciate the reminder of how our Heavenly Father can take a life that is grimy, soiled from contact with the world's brokenness - and from one's own mistakes and character flaws - and make that life "white as snow" - Isaiah 1:18; and I am thankful for this thought from Psalm 51:6-7 where it is written: "... You long to enthrone truth throughout my being; in unseen places deep within me, You show me wisdom. Cleanse me of my wickedness ... and I will be clean. If You wash me, I will be whiter than snow." (VOICE); thankful for assurance from Scripture that His plans for me are good (Jeremiah 29:11); thankful for that big word, WHOSOEVER, and whosoever surely means ME! I was thankful for the faith, the trust expressed in these words from Habakkuk 3:17-19 where we read: "Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, ... I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my Savior. The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains." (GNT); thankful to be free from any indications of an illness to prevent the out-patient surgery scheduled; thankful for the prayers of family and friends for me, for the surgeon, and all her support staff during the surgery; thankful for this thought from Psalm 9:10 where it is written: "May everyone who knows Your mercy keep putting their trust in You, for they can count on You for help no matter what." (TPT);  thankful for only four small incisions in my belly instead of the long one seen in others who've had gall-bladders removed; thankful that there is very little discomfort at the surgery site; thankful for all who were lifting me up in prayer as James suggests in James 5:15 where he says "Prayers offered in faith will restore them from sickness and bring them to health...." (VOICE); thankful for less soreness in muscles and in the little incisions from the surgery sites; thankful for less wobbliness in my legs; and I am thankful for this message from Jesus in John 14:6 where it is written: " Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.'"