Thursday's Thanksgivings

Despite this cold, wet Thursday evening, there still are a number of things for which to be thankful. I will share a few of the items that have topped my list on this dreary day. (in no particular order :)

I am thankful for ...

• the reality of Philippians 1:6: "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Today this providentially appeared as the "Verse of the Day" on the sidebar of our blog. The fact that our faithful Father will complete the work that He began in each of us is BEAUTIFULLY GLORIOUS news, the best I've heard all day! (And boy was it ever timely; I may have needed to hear that today more than ever!)

• the fact that Steve Green has a song for our verse this week! I purchased his Hide 'Em in Your Heart cd for our kids this Christmas, but just put it in the cd player today. I was so excited when a song for Psalm 135:5,6 & 7 came on. It seems that putting Scripture to music is one of the best ways for God's Word to stick in our heads...and hopefully further complete it's migration to our hearts!

• how well John David's session went on Monday. Our John David completed the second part of a re-evaluation process that is being conducted at the University...(of Alabama, if there was anyone unsure :). As I mentioned last Monday, we were a bit discouraged after leaving last week's session. But, praise the Lord, this week was a totally different story. John David did a great job. (Well, David and I were impressed :) The fact that he wasn't running a fever this time, nor was his nose incessantly running either; he did actually take a nap the previous day and slept well the night before; he wasn't medicated and was able to eat a good breakfast that morning...I'm sure all of these factors contributed to a much better day! And besides that, he now had at least seen the room where all of the "testing" would take place and the strangers faces were somewhat familiar. Because he was feeling better and was much more comfortable, he was able to "perform" better too. We were just thankful that they were able to see more of what we consider the real John David. However, we see the benefit of them seeing him when he was not at his best. Hopefully seeing him in both circumstances will help provide for a more accurate "re-diagnosis" and best help us know how we can most effectively aid and serve him.

• Claire's doctor's appointment today. Because we are spacing out our vaccinations (another topic to be discussed here, I'm sure :), her 4 month appointment fell today, instead of closer to January 24th. The doctor said that, although she's a bit on the "chubby" end (hopefully she didn't hear him say that :), she looked healthy overall. I take so much for granted, that I don't want another good check-up like this to pass without giving God the praise due His name; for there could be countless things "wrong" with my children! Her stats (for the sake of the grandparents and personal documentation) :

14 lbs., 12 ounces : 75%

24 1/2 inches : 50%

(and a beautifully sized head :)

• the fact that God doesn't tell us what's going to happen in advance (I mean, the day to day stuff, that is). Of course, the good stuff we would love to know, right?! But if we knew the all the hard things in store, we may just go ahead and ask to be shown to the Exit! If He told us every detail, then His command to "not worry about tomorrow" (Matthew 6:34) - hard enough as it is - would be utterly impossible. (Which it's impossible anyway without His grace; you know what I mean.) But in His abundant wisdom and lovingkindness, God keeps that knowledge to Himself and willingly imparts grace for each circumstance, one day at a time. A HUGE cause for thanks!

The day is almost done, but may our thanksgivings never come to an end. So, happy giving thanks, my friend!