Thanksgiving VIII ~

14-20 November:  During this past week, I have been thankful for the rest that is available when sleep just won't come in the night; thankful for the privileges of retirement and the ease of rearranging schedules to fit new circumstances; thankful as I consider this thought from 1 Peter 3:17-18 where it is written: "If it is the will of God that you should suffer it is really better to suffer unjustly than because you have deserved it. Remember that Christ the just suffered for us the unjust, to bring us to God. That meant the death of His body, but He came to life again in the spirit." (PHILLIPS); thankful to realize that this earth is not my home, I'm just passing through - a "sojourner", bound for a better place; thankful to see the signs that tell us of the Savior's immanent return; thankful for these welcoming words from John 1:12: ". . .To as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name" (AMP); thankful for sunshine on my shoulder - ALWAYS makes me happy! I was thankful to have been able to go to a nearby park and do most of two complete circuits on the walking path there; thankful as I consider this message from Psalm 119:18-19 where it is written: "Let me see clearly so that I may take in the amazing things coming from Your law. I am a sojourner in the world; do not keep Your commands hidden from me." (VOICE); thankful for the love that surrounds me - the marvelous, matchless love of our heavenly Father and the love of family and friends; thankful for the little greeting cards I found to celebrate the up-coming holiday; thankful for this affirmation from Psalm 119:103-105 where it is written: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; .... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (NRSV); thankful for all the little daily blessings in my life - the things that work smoothly as buttons are pressed or switched activated; thankful for the big blessings of a roof over my head, the family that shares it with me, comestibles in the pantry and fridge, running water in the pipes - and SO much more; thankful for the words of Jesus telling us HOW believers lives are to develop, as found in John 17:17: "Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your Word is consecrating truth" (MSG); thankful for the traveling mercies that let us go to Moscow (Idaho!) without any difficulties on Thursday; thankful to have news of improved renal function - will certainly continue the present regimen; thankful to read The Voice's translation of Psalm 1:1-2 where this is written: "God’s blessings follow you and await you at every turn: when you don’t follow the advice of those who delight in wicked schemes, when you avoid sin’s highway, when judgment and sarcasm beckon you, but you refuse. For you, the Eternal’s Word is your happiness. It is your focus—from dusk to dawn."  I was thankful to be awake to celebrate another "Lord's Day" - the one the Creator Himself set aside when He finished activities at the very beginning (Genesis 2:1-3); thankful for church services that are available to me through my phone from my home church and other sites; and I am thankful for the beautiful words of praise from Psalm 95:3-7 where this is written: "... The Eternal is a great God, and a great King, supreme over all gods. Within His control are the very depths of the earth; the mountaintops too—they all belong to Him. The sea belongs to Him, for He created it—scooped and filled it—with His hands He made the dry land—every valley and mountain. Come, let us worship Him. Everyone bow down; kneel before the Eternal who made us. For He is our God and we are His people, the flock of His pasture, His sheep protected and nurtured by His hand." (VOICE).