I'm Forever Grateful

     Even though I'm busily preparing for a writers conference I'll attend in 12 days, a sense of super gratefulness has been rolling inside me. I think the Lord placed a triple dose of it in my heart, and I can't seem to stop gushing it out. Sometimes I actually break out in song for things as simple as:

     The cool weather (anything below 80 degrees is practically a miracle after the long stretches of humid, 90+ degrees days we've had most of July and August.

     The clear, clean water filling my oversized jacuzzi-type bathtub. A couple of weeks ago our water softener jammed up and the water was rust-colored and stained everything it touched.

     Money to put in the offering envelopes at church. I remember the days when pennies and nickels were all I could afford. Today it's dollars, and much more than one at a time.

     Fresh produce from plants that came up by themselves. In fact, they're stronger and taste better than the ones I babied.

     The prolific verbena that has spread so rampantly this year, that it's attracted all the butterflies that usually produce those nasty green worms in my tomatoes. I haven't seen even one of those icky critters for the first summer ever.

     The ability to bounce on a rebounder. Last year I needed an electric scooter to get around because using my right knee hurt so darned much.

     Working out with weights. Last time I tried, my shoulders gave me fits, and I had to quit after two weeks of miserably failing.

     Sons and daughters who help me without waiting to be asked. It hadn't always been that way.

     Seeing dozens of towering trees and shrubs close up no matter what window I look out. Ten years ago there was only one 6" tree on our lot.

     There's a lot of things in my life that I wish were different, but when I'm wrapped up in praising and thanking the Lord, they become insignicant. May I never get so caught up in myself that I lose sight of His goodness and forget to thank Him for it.

1 Thes 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  (NIV)

     In another matter, I subscribe to SteepleHill Historicals and Romantic Suspense novels. The good thing about that is receiving four of each every month, usually several weeks before their release dates--often before authors get their own copies. With that in mind, I will regularly review the most current selections--one per week starting after Labor Day. Stayed tuned for further details.