Thanksgiving XII ~

 16-22 February:  During the past week, I was thankful for the little CD/DVD player that plugs into my computer and lets me hear beautiful music; thankful for the Verilux lamp that provides light on gloomy winter days; thankful as I read these words from Isaiah 41:10 - "Don’t worry—I am with you. Don’t be afraid—I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will support you with my right hand that brings victory." (Easy to Read Version); thankful for the spirit of gratitude that has been given me; thankful to see all the activity that goes on outside my window - different kinds of finches, juncos, a nuthatch or two, and the squirrels with their acrobatic, upside-down thievery at the bird feeders; thankful as I read these words from Romans 8:35: "What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger, or even death? The answer is, absolutely nothing." (VOICE); thankful for warm shelter from the wind and snow outdoors; I was thankful for the beautiful music coming thru' my computer; thankful for this promise found in 1 John 1:9 where it is written: "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]." (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition); thankful to have a temporary care-giver returning while the usual helper is under the weather; thankful for the crews who keep the roads open with the hazards from rock falls and snow; thankful for this assurance from 1 John 4:11-12 where it is written: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (New International Version); thankful to see sunlight streaming thru' the big window in my bed-sitting room; thankful to have another believer here to help with the activities of daily living that I'm not able to accomplish on my own just now; thankful for the counsel provided in Proverbs 17:9 where it is written: "Forgive someone, and you will strengthen your friendship. Keep reminding them, and you will destroy it." (Easy to Read Version); thankful that the mid-winter cold-snap is over (for now); thankful for avocado toast for my breakfast, with much thanks to a D.D.; thankful as I recall this passage from Scripture: "... Any other commands you have heard are summarized in God’s instruction: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Does love hurt anyone? Absolutely not. In fact, love achieves everything the law requires." (Romans 13:9-10; VOICE); thankful for another Sabbath, the day our Creator knew would help us to flourish - He said "Remember!", but most of the world has forgotten (Genesis 2:2-3; Mark 2:27; Exodus 10:8); I was thankful for another good night, waking fresh from sleep; and I was thankful for this admonition found in Isaiah 56:1-2 where it is written: "... Do what’s right and do it in the right way, For salvation is just around the corner, my setting-things-right is about to go into action. How fortunate are you who enter into these things, you men and women who embrace them, Who keep Sabbath and don’t defile it, who watch your step and don’t do anything evil!" (Message).