Thanksgiving XII ~

4-10 May:  In the past week; I was thankful for the privilege of living life as the daughter of the King;  thankful for the privilege of prayer - the knowledge that our Father's ears are tuned to the praise and supplications of His children; thankful for the promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14-15: "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made. . . ." (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition); thankful to see the beautiful blossoms developing on the tree outside my window - the leaves and flower-buds have looked sick, but today life has been restored; thanks, too, for the Master's healing touch in our sin-sick minds; thankful for these words from a favorite passage in Philippians 4:6-7: " Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus" (Common English Bible); thankful for the new raspberry bushes D.D. has transplanted in our yard - summer delights in store; thankful for lilac blossoms that are a delight to both eyes AND nose; thankful for these words from James 5:15-16: "Prayers offered in faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will cure them. If you have sinned, you will be forgiven. So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective" (God's Word); thankful for all the "whosoever" promises of Jesus - they surely include me; thankful for the multitude of everyday blessings that grace my life; I was thankful to read this beautiful admonition from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 where it is written: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (King James Version); for the assurance that our Father is a faithful promise-keeper - as Joshua told the people at his life's end, ". . . not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed" Joshua 23:14. He's still the same, His promises are sure. The answers are not promised in MY time, but His - I may feel His response is delayed, but ". . . the vision is yet for an appointed time; . . . at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" Habakkuk 2:3. He knows what's ahead and when it will be most needed. We can trust Him, for not one word of those promises will fail! 

I was thankful for another day with bright sunshine coming through my window; thankful for the "heavenly sunlight" shining in my heart: thankful for these words from Romans 8:1-2: ". . . There is now no condemnation for the ones in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set you free from the law of sin and death!" (Disciples Literal New Testament); thankful for the beautiful example of aging gracefully my mother provided during her mature years - never complaining, always with some helpful thing to do; thankful for the mothers among my daughters and dear-daughters-in-law - you are greatly esteemed! And I was thankful for the grace given by my heavenly Father in adopting me as a daughter in His family.