Thanksgiving IX ~

 28 August-3 September:  In the past week, I was thankful for those in my church family who were setting up the Kid's Clothing Swap at the church; thankful for delicious produce coming from D.D.'s garden; thankful for the "forever faithful" heavenly Father whose promises never fail - Zephaniah 3:5: "The Lord in the midst of her is [uncompromisingly] righteous; He will not do iniquity. Every morning He brings His justice to light; He fails not...." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for the adaptive devices that allow me to freely move around the house where we live on my own two feet; thankful for all the folks who have turned "bright ideas" into the technological wonders available today (and the generous hearts who provide funds for many who would not be able to afford the cost!); thankful for the message from Isaiah 12:2 which reads: " Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." (King James Version); thankful for all the ways the Creator has shown His love for our human family - most of all, His willingness to bring life to all who will believe; thankful for the promises I find in His Word; thankful for this affirmation from the Apostle Paul: ". . . You are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household." Ephesians 2:19 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for the educational opportunities available on-line with the flick of my mouse - I have learned a bit of world geography as I investigated the "Middle East", and discovered all the "-stans" can be included; thankful, too, for the representative from there who asked that we pray for workers to share the Good News in that area where sharing can be difficult and even dangerous; thankful for the promise of the Savior, who said: "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20; Good News Translation); thankful for the ministrations of the Pampered Feet nurse to provide "in home" pedicures with tender care; thankful for the promise of cooler weather as autumn approaches; thankful for the counsel given in Jeremiah 6:16 where it is written: "Yahweh says, 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, "Where is the good way?" and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'...." (World English Bible); thankful I can rest in the night hours when sleep won't come (and then escapes after a couple hours in dreamland!); thankful for the laundry facilities across the hall instead of requiring a trip to the laundromat; thankful for this thought from God's Word about sleepless nights: "In the middle of the night, I wake to thank You because Your rulings are just and right. I am a friend of anyone who fears You and of those who follow Your precepts. The earth is filled with Your unfailing love, O Eternal One; teach me to observe what You require." (Psalm 119:62-64; VOICE); thankful for the weekly privilege of keeping the Sabbath our Creator gave to all (Genesis 2:2-3; Mark 2:27) - young, old, children, our workers, the animals, and "the strangers within [our] gates" (Exodus 20:10) - what a blessing this is for all who keep it! I was thankful for the blessing of strength, of remaining abilities to be active, to complete my lists; and I was thankful for the assurance in this message, found in Isaiah 48:17: "Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer . . .: 'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go' " (English Standard Version).