Thanksgiving X ~

12-18 March:  During the past week, I was thankful for all the "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word - all the blessings He gives with assurances He will do exactly as He says (e.g. Ezekiel 36:25-27); I was thankful for another promise every parent should know, that from Isaiah 49:25; thankful for a lifetime of experiencing our loving heavenly Father; thankful for the fantasy colors in the sunrise - they may be tidings of precipitation later on, but a beautiful beginning for the day; thankful to live in this somewhat rural location where the seasons of agriculture are a very real part of our lives; thankful to know the truth of these words from Romans 8:28 where it is written: " ... We know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." (Amplified Bible); I was thankful that I could trust my sister into the hands of our loving heavenly Father as she had five heart stents placed (she was recuperating at home the next afternoon and is doing well); I was thankful for a fresh devotional routine with readings from the gospels, primarily; thankful for this reassurance from 2 Peter 1:5-8: "Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful." (Contemporary English Version); thankful for sunlight on the snow that came down in the evening (with forecasts suggesting a continuing possibility of more snow showers, but it won't last long) - Spring is ALMOST here!   I was thankful for the continual grace that surrounds me - another kind of "spring"- for my heart; thankful for the message of Acts 4:12: "Salvation can be found in no one [but Jesus]. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” (Common English Bible); thankful for electronic resources and the speed with which they help me; thankful for this counsel from Colossians 3:12 where it is written; "... As God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]." (Amplified Bible); thankful for the blessings of 'phone conversations with my middle son on his birthday, and youngest daughter - who's doing much better after a health scare.  I was thankful for these words from Malachi 3:16-17: "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the Lord of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels.'" (New King James Version); thankful for waking up to a new Sabbath morning - with plans for being blessed through Hope Channel and others that are sharing the good news; thankful for the DD who remains pleasant when called out of her bed in the wee small hours of the morning; and I was thankful for the encouraging words found in Romans 15:13 where we read: "May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope" (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).