Thanksgiving VII ~

2-8 August:  During this week, I have been thankful that the D.S.I.L.'s parents came for a visit - dear folks!  I was thankful for all the Scripture that tells of the Father's tender love for me (and you, too!) and for my concordance that helps me find those texts in the Word; thankful for this admonition from James 1:22 where it is written: "Don’t, I beg you, only hear the message, but put it into practice; otherwise you are merely deluding yourselves." (PHILLIPS); thankful to our heavenly Father and to the Creator who planned, with the Spirit, for a world filled with beauty to be presented to our first parents; thankful they didn't give up on humanity when those first parents chose a contrary way and - in a plan formed "before the world began" set in motion salvation's story; thankful for this message from John 3:16-17 where it is written: "... God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that every one who believes in Him shall not be lost, but should have eternal life. You must understand that God has not sent His Son into the world to pass sentence upon it, but to save it—through Him." (PHILLIPS); thankful to see another new day and its blessings; thankful to know that our Creator,who flung the stars into space, knows each one by name (Psalm 147:4); thankful for the lesson that can be seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, as God reveals how He makes choices: ". . .  'People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts'” (CEV); thankful for night-time reminders of activities yet unfinished (one especially disconcerting is a pull-over sweater being redone as a cardigan with blanket stitching around the neck and sliced edges, not quite a quarter of which has been completed in the more than ten years since I started the project); thankful for the "begin again" attitude the Father has put in my heart re ALL that is yet unfinished; thankful to know the truth of these words from Psalm 119:130 where they are written: "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (NASB); thankful to wake up with a prayer in my mind for all who are especially fearful as they deal with all the uncertainties of the day - "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus....!". I was thankful for the Father's provision for ALL my needs; thankful for this affirmation from Psalm 119:160 where it is written: " Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth. Your righteous decisions are eternal." (MSG);  thankful for a good night of sleep and rest; thankful for a minimal likelihood of rain as I made my way down to the pharmacy to exchange to used Med-Pacs for fresh supplies; thankful for the assurance of Isaiah 33:22 where this is written: "... The Eternal One is our Judge; He has prescribed our laws; He rules over us, and He is the One who will save us." (VOICE); thankful to know that all the promises in God's Word are mine; thankful to understand that I am included in that wonderful word "whosoever"; and always thankful for these words from the lips of Jesus: "What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:31-33; MSG).