Thanksgiving X ~

22-28 October:  During the past week, I have been thankful for more sunlight thru' my window; thankful to see the various skills that have been shown in the lives of my very different offspring; thankful for the advice and affirmation that is shared in Proverbs 15:22-23 where we read: "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.  Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!" (New Living Translation); thankful for warm clothing as the weather cools; thankful for the conveniences of this house - the dishwasher humming in the kitchen, the capacious washer and dryer awaiting the laundry across the hall from me, the warm air from the heater - how fine!   I was thankful, too, for these words of counsel: "Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also"(Matthew 6:25,33 Amplified Bible); thankful that delay isn't the end of the journey but only a temporary interruption of any process;  thankful to live in a "four-seasons" climate and enjoying all the autumn color; thankful for the wisdom in Proverbs 9:10 that reads: "The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight" (Amplified Bible); thankful for the safe return of those traveling to the nearby city and another, farther away, with a threat of "winter storms" forecast; thankful for all those who are living life with a "Jesus, and others, then me" focus rather than the frequent "Me first" attitude so prevalent in our world today;  thankful as I read these words from a favorite passage of Scripture: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:19-20; King James Version); thankful for another day and the showers of blessing it's bringing; thankful for insurance providing pneumatic pressure stockings to be used a couple of times each day to improve lymph flow; thankful, too, for our Father's preservation of His Word through centuries of opposition - its message continuing to do that for which it was first given - "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Timothy 3:16, New Living Translation); thankful to have the special memory of a dear pastor/friend sharing the verbatim recitation of the book of Hebrews that he had committed to memory - SO much different than hearing those words READ!  I was thankful for our Father's willingness to forgive all that we confess to Him (1 John 1:9); and I was thankful for this affirmation from Hebrews 4:12-13 where it is written: " See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must render an account." (Complete Jewish Bible).