Thanksgiving XI ~

 11-17 February:  During the week past, I was thankful for an awareness of the great blessings the Creator has given as He heals and restores us after an illness or an injury; thankful for the beauty that is everywhere around us - in all seasons; thankful as I consider these words from 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 where we read: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." (New International Version); thankful for the company of our furry friends - all kinds of them, large and small; I was thankful for long-distance communication with far off family and friends (and for all the internet applications); thankful for our Father's promise "I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" (Isaiah 65:24; New Living Translation); thankful for my children and the dear ones they've added to the family circle - even to the fourth generation;  thankful for all the things I am still able to do; and I am thankful to believe these words from John 3:16-17: "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful for re-heated porridge ( a combo of steel-cut oats,red lentils, and farro) along with the fruit available - yum!  I love my breakfast!  I was thankful, too, for the grace my Father provides new every day; thankful for this message from Romans 4:17: ". . . this promise is from God himself, who makes the dead live again and speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past." (The Living Bible).  It is our faith that pleases Him and allows us to see all He has promised as already accomplished in us - hallelujah!  I was thankful for blessings - blessings of friendship, and sharing, and music - both singing and listening again; thankful for the response of the houseplants to more sunlight as the days grow longer; thankful for this affirmation from 1 John 4:9-10 where it is written: "By this God’s love was made-known among us: that God has sent-forth His only-born Son into the world in order that we might live through Him. In this is love— not that we have loved God, but that He loved us, and sent-forth His Son to be the satisfaction for our sins." (Disciple's Literal New Testament); thankful for the wonderful privilege of prayer - a direct line to the throne-room of the universe and the God who hears our heart cries; thankful for the gentle rain that waters the earth; thankful for these words from Isaiah 45:8: "Skies above, open up and let the clouds rain down righteousness! Let the earth below sprout triumph and justice. . . .." (VOICE); thankful for the wonderful privilege of prayer - a direct line to the throne-room of the universe and the God who hears our heart cries; thankful for the gentle rain that waters the earth; and I was thankful for these words from Isaiah 45:8: "Skies above, open up and let the clouds rain down righteousness! Let the earth below sprout triumph and justice. . . .." (VOICE).