Thanksgiving X ~

2-8 July:  During the past week, I was thankful that -in spite of my imperfections - I still can be used by the Creator to bless someone else; thankful to know that when things begin to close in, I can follow Jesus' example - to slip away and find a quiet place to pray; thankful for the cautionary message of Jeremiah17:9-10: “Nothing can hide its evil as well as the human mind. It can be very sick, and no one really understands it. But I AM the Lord, and I can look into a person’s heart. I can test a person’s mind and decide what each one should have. I can give each person the right payment for what they do." (Easy Reading Version); thankful for the blessings daily poured into my life - a grateful spirit, a contented heart, a cheerful disposition, the love of family and friends - how could I not be thankful for these and all the other blessings that come from our Father's hand?  I was thankful to wake up with all systems functioning; thankful for the cautionary note in these words from Proverbs 14:34 where it is written: "Living according to God’s instructions makes a nation great, but sin colors those who commit it with disgrace." (VOICE); thankful that I remember things not yet done; thankful for the day that celebrates the freedom yet remaining in this land where the "red, white, and blue" still waves; thankful for this message from John 8:36: "... if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."  I was thankful for sun lighting up the puffy clouds floating high above the hilltops outside my window; thankful for the idea of acting on our trust in the One who is guiding us; thankful for these words: "Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God,for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up" (Psalm 5:2-3; New King James Version); thankful for the ability to see color - the reds and greens of a Dracaena marginata and begonias, the scarlet peony at the back door, and yellow dahlias beginning their blooming period - so much to enjoy!  All evidence of our Creator's eye for beauty and His love for us; thankful for all my senses - sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste; for a voice to sing the songs I love - thanks be to Him from whom all blessing flows!  I was thankful for the mercy of our Father, mercy that does not administer the justice we rightly deserve (Romans 6:23), and for His "marvelous, infinite, matchless grace" - grace that has freely given to us things we do NOT deserve!  I was thankful, too, for the loving, caring church family in which He has placed me; thankful for the blessing of music - both that which enters through my ears and the music in my heart; thankful for the Sabbath, God's celebration of the finished work of Creation; thankful for the beauties of the earth - for the flowers that brighten my space, for cheerful bird-songs all around, for sunlit blue skies and the cloud-flocks that roam there - so much to enjoy!  I was thankful, too, for the blessings I find in the Psalms - even those reporting difficulties of all kinds are affirmations of trust in the One who is "a very present help in trouble" - "Thank you! Everything in me says 'Thank you!' Angels listen as I sing my thanks. I kneel in worship. . . and say it again: 'Thank you!' Thank you for your love, thank you for your faithfulness." (Psalm 138:2; Message).