Thanksgiving X ~

14-20 May:  In the past week, I was thankful for the years blessed by living with a wise and wonderful mother who lived a "can do" life relying on our Father for every trial that crossed her way; thankful for the privilege of motherhood (and especially that my children are still speaking to me after all the mistakes I made during their lives!); thankful for this admonition from Deuteronomy 5:16 where it is written: "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you." (New King James Version); thankful for the delight of a Mothers' Day journey with a D.D. making a big loop along the Clearwater River, up the Greer Grade to Pierce, took the high road to Orofino, then back to Kooskia (and Take-out from the China Cafe!) and back home - a great day!   I was thankful to have seen all the wonderful shades of spring green and the flowering trees and shrubs that marked our way; thankful, yes, rejoicing in Solomon's words from his Canticle of Canticles 2:12 where this is written: "The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here!" (Living Bible); thankful for the privilege of prayer. What a blessing to be able to come, confidently, before God's throne with our praise, our thanks, and our requests, because we've been invited; thankful for the dear grand-children (great-grands and great-GREAT-grands!) with which I've been blessed - what a joy as I watch them grow and develop into the people they were meant to be; thankful for the faithful counsel of the Scriptures - as true today as when Paul wrote: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that [God's people] may be complete, equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (English Standard Version); thankful that the dear ones who've been dealing with severe illness are now recuperating at home (and for the advanced treatment in progress for another!); thankful for the help I'm receiving every day and the delightful people who provide that help: thankful as I consider this affirmation from Romans 11:33-34 where it is written: "We cannot wrap our minds around God’s wisdom and knowledge! Its depths can never be measured! We cannot understand His judgments or explain the mysterious ways that He works! For, who can fathom the mind of the Lord? Or who can claim to be His advisor?" (VOICE); thankful for the instruction in the Scripture on how one is to live a life pleasing to the Creator and Redeemer of the world on which we live; thankful to be among those who have learned of the wonderful, marvelous work of our salvation - by His grace; thankful for the truth of Psalm 23:4 where we read: "Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way." (The Living Bible); thankful and praising our Father as I complete my eighty-fourth circuit of the Earth-star; thankful for 'phone calls and greetings from loved ones and friends; thankful as I consider these words from James 3:17-18 where they are written: "Heavenly wisdom centers on purity, peace, gentleness, deference, mercy, and other good fruits untainted by hypocrisy. The seed that flowers into righteousness will always be planted in peace by those who embrace peace." (VOICE); at the beginning of my 85th year, my heart is filled with gratitude for those who helped me celebrate my birthday; I was thankful for the many roles I've filled through these years - sister, wife, mother, student, nurse, grandmother, and great-(now great-great as well!) grandmother among many others - all praise to God! And I was thankful as I considered these words from Romans 15:5-6 where we read: "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (New Living Translation).