Thanksgiving X ~

 18-24 June:  This past week, I was thankful to have wished my sons (including a son-in-love!) a very HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!;  thankful for for the visits from the house guest who's checking in with me while D.D. and D.S.I.L. were out of town in the evening; thankful to be able to share this wise counsel from Ephesians 6:4, where we read "[Parents], do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Amplified Bible); thankful for the pleasures of spring - the lush flowers of the peonies around us, the brightening weather - and so much more; I was thankful for a sunlit, blue sky; thankful and in agreement with these words from Psalm 57:7-8: "O God, my heart is quiet and confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Rouse yourself, my soul! Arise, O harp and lyre! Let us greet the dawn with song!" (The Living Bible); thankful to be celebrating the first day of a new summer - anticipation of warmer, drier weather and al fresco meals on the patio; thankful for a new carer - a young Jamaican woman who shares my anticipation of the Savior's return, and is an observer of the Sabbath; thankful for the assurance to be found in Psalm 91:1-2: "We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I am trusting Him." (The Living Bible); thankful for sleep and rest that provide refreshment for a new day with its challenges and blessings; thankful for all the ways our Father provides for the needs of His people; thankful for these words from Scripture: "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord and the praises of the Lord, according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses," (Isaiah 63:7, King James Version); thankful for summer-y blue skies with not a cloud in sight; thankful for the baby greens now waiting in the fridge - part of dinner for this day; thankful for this promise from Isaiah 40:30-31 where we read: "Young people will get tired; strapping young men will stumble and fall. But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run—never winded, never weary. They will walk—never tired, never faint." (VOICE); thankful for another beautiful Sabbath day; thankful for plans to meet with my church family for worship, praise, and study; and thankful, too, as I think on these words from 2 Thessalonians 3:3-4 where we read: ". . . The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things [which He has counseled]." (Amplified Bible).