Thanksgiving VII ~

18-24 October:  During the past week, I have been thankful for the positive aspects in the news from dear ones here and there - much of the world around us seems to be falling apart, but glimmers of hope are there; thankful to have today's technology to provide the information that keeps me up to date on my family; thankful for this message from Psalm 27:14 where it is written: "Here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous, and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for He will never disappoint you!" (TPT); thankful our God still answers prayers - the community where my youngest D.D. lives is still standing after a major wildfire was wind-driven to that campus - and then the rain came and the wind changed direction. He still is Master of His creation! I was thankful for His safe-keeping of all that is dear to my heart; thankful to know that in the following passage, "delight" is the equivalent to "follow", as to follow a lead dancer - a beautiful thought - here in Psalm 37:4 we read: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." (MEV); thankful for every new day of life - a life that's been extended far beyond any time I deserve; thankful for faith to believe in the healing power of God (and also that a prayer for healing WILL be answered, in HIS time); thankful as I read these words from Jeremiah 17:14 with a prayer for a D.S. - "You, Lord, are the one I praise. So heal me and rescue me! Then I will be completely well and perfectly safe." (CEV); thankful for my status as a daughter of the Most High God (John 1:12); thankful for this thought - "If you can't see His hand, trust His heart!"; thankful to echo this message from Psalm 40:8 where it is written: "My God, I take pleasure in doing your will. Your law is in my heart.” (EHV); thankful to anticipate a quick visit with family who have come from warmer climes to spend time with their father; thankful for the treatment that helps him in his battle with multiple myeloma - in addition to the prayers of all asking for healing, in God's time; thankful as I read these words from Isaiah 57:18 where they are written: "I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him ...." (KJV); thankful for the - oh, so brief - visit with two of my grandkids who'd come to visit their father; so thankful for safe journeying as we traveled out and back without any breakdowns, dents, or crashes;  thankful for this promise found in Malachi 3:16-17 where it is written: "Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another; the Lord heeded and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and thought on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'My special possession on the day when I act, and I will spare them as [one] spares [a child] who serves....'" (RSV, adapted);

thankful to recognize the Creator's love that is shown in His gift of a weekly Sabbath - the rest day provided in Eden (and the seventh and last day in the the week, for which there is no other explanation in the natural world around us); thankful for all the programs available to me that focus on God's work of creation, of redeeming all who are willing; and thankful for this clear message from Proverbs 9:10 where it is written: "The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight." (AMP).