Thanksgiving IX ~

20-26 February:  During the past week, I have been thankful for rest through the night during the four hours in which sleep refused to return - and for the nights when there is none of that insomnia; thankful for the invitation for a "goodbye" brunch with the dear son and daughter-in-law who are moving from Spokane to Montana this week; thankful as I read these words from Genesis 31:49 - my OWN prayer - "... 'May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.'" (NIV); thankful to remember that the little song from childhood - "Jesus loves me, this I know; for the Bible tells me so." - there's a version for those of us who are older as well, see http://www.bobwilsonmusic.org/text/jeuslovesmeforseniors.htm .  I was thankful for the ease with which I can access info on the World Wide Web; thankful for this promise from Isaiah 49:25 where it is written: "... The Lord says, 'The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.'" (New Living Translation); I was thankful for continuing, abundant life in Jesus; thankful to be awake (and as alert as this elderly brain can operate!) as morning moves on; thankful for this assurance in 1 John 4:17-19 where it is written: "... As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His perfect love. We love each other because He loved us first." (NLT); thankful for the warmth of sunshine thru' my window - even tho' the outside temp is barely above zero Fahrenheit; thankful that there are sufficient funds to renew Signs subscriptions for friends without wiping out the savings account; thankful for these words from Psalm 94:18-19: "If I should say, “My foot has slipped,Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul" (NASB); thankful for a continuing positive balance of means vs expenses; thankful for all the ways the Father continues to meet the needs in my life - nourishing food, shelter, plenty of water and fresh air, the love of family and friends - and so much more; thankful every time I consider this promise from Jeremiah 29:11-13 where it is written: "'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.'" (New Living Translation); thankful that my internet connection is back - it was out earlier; thankful for the easy stick when the blood was drawn for my Nephrologist's appointment next week; thankful for the counsel Jesus provided in Matthew 22:37-39 where this is written: "... ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." (New Living Translation); SO thankful that our Father God has given me - US! - the privilege of being adopted as His own (John 1:12); I was thankful to read the words of Jesus recorded in John 6:37 - "... Whoever comes to me I will certainly not turn away."; and I was thankful, too, for this message in 1 John 4:9 where it is written: "God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him." (NLT).