Thanksgiving XI ~

 28 January-3 February:  During the past week, I have been thankful for each new day of life; thankful for these little miracles that fit into my ears and let me enjoy recorded music again; thankful for the counsel in 1 Peter 3:3-4: "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God." (New Living Translation); thankful for the blessing of sleep; thankful for midwinter days with bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine; thankful as I consider this favorite "I will ...." promise from Ezekiel 35:25-27 where it is written: "I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean and acceptable to Me. I will wash away everything that makes you unclean .... I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey My laws and teachings." (Contemporary English Version); thankful to be one called "beloved" by our Creator (as are ALL those who know Him as Savior); thankful that He promises to provide all the I need in this life, and the next; thankful for the admonition found in Ephesians 4:1-3: "Conduct yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with love, and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties you together." (Common English Bible); thankful for a look at the morning star gleaming in the eastern sky; thankful for fresh lemons and the kick the lemon juice adds to my wake-up hot water libation; SO thankful for this promise from Hebrews 13:5-6: "Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.' Let us be bold, then, and say, 'The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.'" (Good News Translation); thankful that there is still beauty that remains in so many places in our world - there's much which batters the senses, but yet there are things that are lovely as well; I was thankful for the company of family and four-footeds in this house; thankful for these words from the gospel of John: "He came to his own, and His own people did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God" (ch.1:11-12; English Standard Version) - what a blessing to know I am recognized as a daughter of my Father!  I was thankful for the blessing of promises and affirmations from the Word; thankful for the blessing of fresh fruit - even mangoes! - in the wintertime; thankful for this promise from 1 Corinthians 2:9: ". . . As Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him” (God's Word); thankful for another Sabbath and the opportunity to worship with my church family; thankful to be able to still do the simple tasks required to put thoughts on paper (or on a computer keyboard!); and I was thankful for the blessing of contentment ". . . (satisfied to the point where I am am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am." (Philippians 4:11; Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).