Thanksgiving X ~

4-10 December:  During the past week I was thankful to see this post from my first year of Thanksgivings: A Year of Thanksgiving in recall ~ for the health and strength that remains (I'm sure others who have passed the "three-score and ten" mark will know just what I mean!), for a brain that still works, and for muscles that respond appropriately to its direction. For these everyday blessings I give thanks!   I was thankful to know that above the snow falling outside my window, the sun is still shining, just as our Creator promised (Genesis 8:22); thankful for the care being provided in our local hospital for eldest D.D. who's experiencing a double measure of the enemy's torments with Covid and pneumonia added to a need for more potent chemotherapy; thankful for the assurance of healing in God's Word - not necessarily when we want it, but when - in the Father's eyes - it is for our best good and for His glory. As Jeremiah 29:11-12 reads: "... 'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.'" (New International Version); thankful for all the ways in which my keyboard provides a connection with family and friends - old and new ones; thankful for the almost-winter-time sunlight - tho' weak, it IS sunlight!  I was thankful when I considered the privilege that is given to believers - "The God who spoke light into existence, saying, 'Let light shine from the darkness,' is the very One who sets our hearts ablaze to shed light on the knowledge of God’s glory revealed in the face of Jesus, the Anointed One. But this beautiful treasure is contained in us—cracked pots made of earth and clay—so that the transcendent character of this power will be clearly seen as coming from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:6-7; VOICE); thankful to have the little book, Steps to Christ, available in so many formats - hard copy to virtual reading - what a blessing to all who peruse its pages; thankful for the tele-connections with medical specialists in cities around us, saving travel expenses for patients;  thankful for this promise to God's people, found in Hosea 2:14-15 where it is written: "... I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope...." (New Living Translation);  thankful for the warm sunlight pouring thru' my window; thankful that eldest D.D. is back in her downstairs apartment after a short stay at our local hospital; thankful for this affirmative promise from Isaiah 58:8 where it is written: “Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity], The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." (Amplified Bible); thankful that we have God's Word in all its fullness - the written Word with enduring counsel and encouragement and ". . . the Word . . . made flesh . . . " (John 1:14), our Savior and Example; thankful for the rest our Father provides when sleep finally come a half-hour before my usual wake-up time; thankful for this affirmation from John 14:6 where it is written: "‘I am the way,’ replied Jesus, ‘and the truth and the life! Nobody comes to the Father except through Me'". (New Testament for Everyone); thankful to have had a good sleep and be feeling rested; thankful for my thoughtful kids (and the well-chosen sons and daughters my children have added to the family!); thankful as I read this admonition from John 15:5 where it is written: "I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in [her] bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for another Sabbath and thankful for all that is available to us via one or another of the venues for worship over the airwaves; thankful for all the "first responders" who go out to assist others in many places and various situations; and I was thankful for the counsel given in Deuteronomy 5:13-14 where it is written: "... Do all of your work in six days, and on the seventh—the Sabbath—do not do any work. This goes for you, your sons, your daughters, your male and female servants, your oxen and donkeys and cattle, and foreign travelers staying at your house. My Sabbath rest is for all to enjoy." (VOICE).