Thanksgiving VIII ~

 15-21 August:  During this past week, I have been thankful for each new day, with promises for strength to meet its challenges; thankful for time enough to add "growing lessons"; thankful for the message of Romans 14:8 where we read: "The truth is that we neither live nor die as self-contained units. At every turn life links us to God, .... In life or death we are in the hands of God." (PHILLIPS); thankful for the privilege of being a daughter of the King - awaiting His return to take His family home to the place He has prepared for us; thankful for the technology that allows me this opportunity to reach out to dear ones around the world; thankful for this message from 2 Corinthians 7:1 that tells us: "... Since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God." (AMP); thankful for the forecast of temps twenty or more degrees F. lower than it's been for the last few days, always a blessing thru' these "dog days" of summer; thankful for the "blessed hope" given in God's Word - the hope of the imminent return of Jesus to claim His own; thankful as I echo this thought from Habakkuk 3:17-18 where we read: "Even if the fig tree does not grow figs and there is no fruit on the vines, even if the olives do not grow and the fields give no food, even if there are no sheep within the fence and no cattle in the cattle-building, yet I will have joy in the Lord. I will be glad in the God who saves me." (NLV); thankful for REST in the night - even tho' sleep doesn't always return with the immediacy one might long for; thankful that there is always grace given in the little mercies the Father provides day by day - let's remember to LOOK for them! And I was thankful as I considered this passage from Revelation 2:10 where it is written: "... Remain faithful even when facing death and I will give you the crown of life—an unending, glorious future." (TLB); thankful that a night of good sleep can make a real difference, rest is good - but sleep is so much better! I was thankful to be reminded of the "Thanksgiving" from eight years ago today - thoughts still as true now as when I posted them; thankful as I read this from 1 John 5:11-12 where it is written: "And this is the truth: God has given us the gift of eternal life, and this life is in His Son. If you have the Son, you have eternal life. If you do not have the Son of God, you are not acquainted with true life." (VOICE); thankful for quiet moments found in not-always expected places; thankful for my dear grandkids - each one - near and half-the-world-around from here; thankful as I read this affirmation from Psalm 16:8-9 where it is written: "I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me. So my heart and soul will be very happy...." (ERV); thankful to be enjoying another Sabbath, the SEVENTH day, chosen by the Creator Himself when He'd finished His masterpiece here on earth (Genesis 2:2-3); thankful for the rain that dampens the thirsty soil; and I was thankful as I considered this thought from Psalm 42:8 where it is written: "The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night—a prayer to the God of my life." (CSB).

.