Enter with Thanksgiving

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!

First monarch sighted in our garden this year

Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

hollyhocks (here and below)

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

moonflower

Asiatic lily

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

(Psalm 100, ESV)

blackberries

Thank You, Father,
for You are good;
Your steadfast love endures forever;

Your faithfulness lasts for all generations;

Thank You for decreased low back and shoulder pain this week;

for restored sleep all night in the bed, not needing to move to the recliner because of pain;

for two customer service "wins" in the same day;

for hearty laughter together;

for alerting us to the electrical problem with a closet light before we went to sleep;

for Amore's patience, initiative, and wisdom in working out a temporary safe fix and handling the interactions with the electrician;

for protection from dangers seen and unseen;

for the first half-dozen monarch sightings in the garden for this season;

for the peace of watching moonflowers open at dusk on an overcast night;

for two lunches with my parents;

for cupcakes;

for beautiful skyscapes;

for a deeply Christ-centered sermon Sunday;

for a new senior pastor for a congregation after 19 months of grief and transition;

for courage to follow my doctor's suggestion to try water exercise;

for 40 minutes of movement (not much actual swimming this time) without increased pain;

for the astonishing creative gifts and skill of the Cliburn pianists and the composers of the music they play;

for moment-by-moment opportunities to abide in Christ and in His love (John 15:4-5, 7-10);

for His promise of fullness of joy (John 15:11).

(selected from this week's gratitude journal, #457-553)