Thanksgiving VIII ~

21-27 March:  During the past week, I was thankful to be a child of our Father-in-Heaven, one of the people (like flowers, as my mother used to tell me) of many colors, all part of His family (John 1:12);  thankful for the exceedingly wonderful gift of the Savior He provided so that ALL who believe and live in His atonement will be with Him forever; thankful as I contemplated these words from Jeremiah 17:7-8:    "Blessed is the one who trusts in Me alone; the Eternal will be [her] confidence. She is like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots beside the stream. It does not fear the heat or even drought. Its leaves stay green and its fruit is dependable, no matter what it faces." (VOICE, with a personal pronoun change for me); thankful for another day of life with the limbs working on the brain's commands, not as promptly or agilely as they once did, but still responding as ordered; thankful that the night snow will soon melt away in the warmer daytime temperatures; thankful for this admonition from Ephesians 6:10-11 where it is written: "Finally, brothers and sisters, draw your strength and might from God. Put on the full armor of God to protect yourselves from the devil and his evil schemes." (VOICE); thankful for the little heater that warms up the bathroom when it's shower time (and for heated water right from the tap - in days long ago I've managed without one or the other, or BOTH!); thankful for the Sun of Righteousness that floods my soul with blessing day after day; thankful as I read and paraphrase the message found in James 1:12 where we read: "Happy is the person who can hold up under the trials of life. At the right time, [she’ll] know God’s sweet approval and will be crowned with life. As God has promised, the crown awaits all who love Him." (VOICE); thankful for another day of life and strength to meet its challenges; for the "blessed hope" of a soon returning Savior; and for this message again from James 1:12 in the Common English Bible: "Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love him as their reward." (CEB); thankful that the fellows who began work on the trees around this property in the snow are waiting for less inclement weather before the work is finished; thankful that the Father of us all does not have to rely on the weather to accomplish His work; thankful as I read these words from 1 John 1:8-9 where this is written: "If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong." (CEB); thankful as I loaded clothes into the automatic washer - thankful I wasn't born in the time (or place!) of scrubbing boards for washing; thankful for the care provided as I age in home; thankful to share this thought from Philippians 1:3-4 where it is written: "I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy." (CEB); thankful to know the greatest Man in history: He had no servants, yet they called him Master; He had no degree, yet they called him Teacher; He had no medicines, yet they called him Healer; He had no army, yet kings feared Him; He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world; He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. His name is Jesus. And thankful for this truth from Psalm 62:7 where it is written: " In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." (KJV).