Thanksgiving IX ~

19-25 June:  In the last week, I was thankful for the freedom the Creator gave, the freedom of choosing our own way or His (His is a much better way, would there be many more who make that choice!); I was thankful for the privilege of finding little ways in which I can be a helper for others; thankful as I mused on this passage from John 8:34-36 where it is written: "Jesus said, 'I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.'" (Message); thankful that the first day of summer arrived with a matching forecast of sunny weather for the days ahead; thankful for Sonlight in my heart even when the sky IS overcast; thankful for another aspect of sunshine from Malachi 4:2 where it is written: "... For you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture." (New Living Translation); thankful for any opportunity to be a help to others, especially when they're SO helpful to me! I was thankful for gifted greeting cards, most (if they are suitably sized) of them now arranged in the box to my left in the over-desk bookcase; thankful for God's Word and what it tells us about how He sees what is most important: "The Eternal will keep you safe from all of life’s evils, from your first breath to the last breath you breathe, from this day and forever." (Psalm 121:7-8; VOICE). Not a guarantee that I won't experience what mortals call "death" (and the Word calls "sleep"), but that the forever life He promises is a sure thing for all who are believers in Jesus (John 3:16-17); thankful to have chosen to live my life as if there is a God (and perhaps die to find out there isn’t), than to live my life as if there is NO God and die to find out He exists!   I was thankful for a personal schedule that allows a later "wake-up" time if sleep just won't come when I shut my eyes;  thankful for this promise from Isaiah 40:31 where it is written: "... Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (New Int'l Version); thankful for automated laundry equipment right across the hall from my room (and for memories of the little manual washer - hoses to fill and drain - that saved from labor with a scrub board during our China stay!); thankful for another Preparation Day to "red' up" for the Sabbath; thankful for this promise from 2 Thessalonians 3:3 where it is written: "... The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." (English Standard Version); thankful as I joined others to celebrate another Sabbath, on the seventh day of the week, the day chosen by the Creator (Genesis 2:2-3) for humans to rest in His love and care; thankful for the internet connection with my church family that allowed me to hear the Sabbath message with them; and thankful as I considered this thought from Jeremiah 23:23-24 where it is written: " 'Am I a God who is only close at hand?' says the Lord. 'No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from Me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?' says the Lord." (New Living Translation).