Thanksgiving IX ~

February 27-March 5:  During this last week, I was thankful for God's mercy and grace which flow like a river through my life; thankful to remember Pastor Jim Thibideaux's "Joseph" message that focused on "waiting". Many (if not most) of us find waiting difficult, but God's Word tells us: 'When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my [friends], don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them ....! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become [people] of mature character. . . .'" James 1:2-4 (J.B. Phillips Translation), and so I pray God will teach me to "wait"!  I was thankful for the memories that are stored in my head- what a blessing comes from the practice of thanksgiving, for the happy memories are reinforced and those less happy fade; thankful to be able to remember so many of the hymns and songs I've learned over past years - making melody in my heart is always a good thing; thankful for the assurance in Paul's message to Timothy that can be found in 2 Timothy 1:7, where we read: "The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control" (ERV); thankful for a follow-up visit with my Nephrologist - without having to go all the way to Coeur d'alene; thankful for the D.D. who adds chauffeuring to all her other responsibilities in caring for those who share the home; thankful for this affirmation from Psalm 73:25-26 where we read: "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever." (New Living Translation); thankful for traveling mercies (no bumps, scratches, or dents!) as we went out and returned; thankful to have had lunch with the dear grand-daughter who works in that city; thankful to share this passage from Ephesians 3:14-16 where we read: "... I bow my knees before the Father, from Whom the whole family in the heavens and on earth is named, asking that He might grant to you in accordance with the riches of His glory that you be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner person." (Disciples Literal New Testament); for the blessing of family; thankful for the many providences of our Father's leading in my life; thankful to live in this quiet community away from the bustle of the city; thankful for this thought from Isaiah 55:8-9 where it is written: "Eternal One: 'My intentions are not always yours, and I do not go about things as you do. My thoughts and My ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth.'" (VOICE);  thankful for a God who loves me - warts and all - and loves me too much to leave me in that condition.  I was thankful for the drawing power of that love that brings me closer to what He wants me to be; thankful for the promises of a forever life for "whosoever" in John 3:16; thankful for our Father's gift of the Sabbath - a recurring, weekly respite from the hurry-scurry of the rest of the week; thankful for the technology that allows my church home to share worship services when I can't be there in person (can be accessed by going to https://www.facebook.com/grangevillesda at ten AM - Pacific Time); thankful for this message from Isaiah 58:13-14 where it is written: " If you keep the Sabbath holy, not having your own fun and business on that day, but enjoying the Sabbath, speaking of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day, and honoring the Lord in what you do, not following your own desires and pleasure nor talking idly— then the Lord will be your delight ...." (The Living Bible).