Thanksgiving XII ~

 9-15 March:  During the past week, I have been thankful for the time to develop growing friendships - a delightful activity in which to spend time; thankful that spring is just around the corner; thankful for these words of encouragement from 2 Timothy 1:8-9 which call all believers to "... [S]uffer-hardship-with me for the good-news according-to the power of God: the One having saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according-to our works but according to His own purpose and grace— it having been given to us in Christ Jesus before eternal times" (Disciples Literal New Testament); thankful for mercy - that our heavenly Father ". . . has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities" (Psalm 103:10); for His grace - the complement to His mercy in not giving me what I rightly deserve - grace gives me all I do NOT deserve; I was thankful for the assurance found in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He made the One not having known sin to be sin for us, in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (Disciples' Literal New Testament); thankful for the "retired" status that allows me to arise later of a morning; thankful for the timekeepers that automatically reset themselves - only the clock on my wall requires adjustment twice every year (and now-and-then replacement of its batteries); thankful to read this description of our God from Deuteronomy 7:8 where it is written: "... Remember that the Lord your God is the only God, and you can trust him! He keeps his agreement. He shows his love and kindness to all people who love him and obey his commands. He continues to show his love and kindness through a thousand generations." (Easy to Read Version); thankful for a lifetime of experiencing a loving heavenly Father; thankful for all the "I will . . . ." promises I find in God's Word - all the blessings He gives with assurances He will do exactly as He says (e.g. Ezekiel 36:25-27); thankful for another promise every parent should know, Isaiah 49:25, where it is written: "Eternal One: 'Hard to believe, but it shall be so. The captives will be taken from the hand of the mighty, and the spoil of war will be rescued from the tyrant. I will liberate them from their captors and contend with your enemies. I will save your children.'" (VOICE); thankful for the fantasy colors in the sunrise - they may be tidings of precipitation later on, but a beautiful beginning for this day; thankful to live in this somewhat rural location where the seasons of agriculture are a very real part of our lives; thankful to know the truth of these words from Romans 8:28 where they are written: " ... We know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose." (Amplified Bible); thankful for the abundance of fresh fruit in the 'fridge - apples, blueberries, and sweet Halos; thankful for a fresh devotional routine with readings from the gospels, primarily; and thankful for this reassurance from 1 John 5:11-13: "And this is the testimony: God gave eternal life to us, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life. . . . I write these things to you who believe in the name of God’s Son so that you can know that you have eternal life" (Common English Bible); thankful for telephone connections with the world outside our doors; thankful for the privilege of prayer in praise, thanksgiving, and asking for the blessings that God's Word promises; and I was thankful to think on these words from Acts 4:10 where we read: "I want all of you ... to know this man standing in front of you—obviously in good health—was healed by the authority of Jesus of Nazareth ...." (VOICE).