Thankful Thursday-So Much to be Thankful For!

So excited to see Goldfinches visiting our home and Still Waters Pond

I can't believe a whole week has gone by since I came home from the hospital! I guess that should be at the top of the list of things that I am thankful for! To be home and recuperating more and more each day, feeling my strength return in so many little ways.  There's still a ways to go...haven't had the myriad of staples removed yet and my belly is still a bit tender...and my body's functional "rhythm" continues to be a bit "off", but all things considered, I am doing great, and am extremely thankful to God for His healing power and tender loving care. 

These Goldfinches remind me of the song "His Eye Is On The Sparrow, and I know He watches me"... I believe all birds are included in God's care, not just the sparrow...but more importantly, God cares for each of us even more so than the birds...

With all of the hype over the Corona Virus that is becoming more and more prevalent every moment, we need to remember that God is caring for us. Yes, we should be diligent to do what is right for our personal health needs and those of our family members, but we really do not need to panic.

I know I've  quoted this passage of scripture many times, but it still is appropriate for today. Think about this when you are tempted to panic over the lack of hand soaps and toilet paper...

Matthew 6:26-34 (NKJV)

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Enough said? Okay, on to other things. While I have been sitting here comfy and cozy in our home resting and recuperating, some other nice things have been happening...

I received the loveliest card from one of our blogging friends who knows how I love tea. She also included a delicious Twining's Orange & Cinnamon Spice Herbal Tea bag, which was such a delightful added treat.

So yesterday I actually felt up to baking some of those wonderful Blueberry Bran Muffins,which recipe I shared with you previously HERE, and treating myself to a little pond side Tea Party. It was perfect! So thankful for thoughtful friends, (of whom there have been many!) and also for this lovely spring weather we are enjoying this week.

Meanwhile, on the front side of the house, something else was happening for which I am most thankful. Since moving to our new house here last summer, one thing we knew we really needed was a storm door for our front door. This serves two purposes...to actually protect the front door and all of the "cracks and crannies" surrounding it, from rain and storms. We do not have any kind of porch roof or overhang above the front door that is sufficient to keep the blowing storms away, and before the real rainy/hurricane season arrives, we wanted to add that extra layer of protection to our front entry. The other purpose is that it allows us to open the door and let in beautiful sunlight in what it is a dark corner of the living room, as well as the ability to open the window and bring in fresh air when desired!

The only thing now is that lovely big wreath on the door is too big/thick to fit between the glass door and the solid door when closed. So I need to find a slimmer version of this wreath to be able to keep something on the front door. Or should I hang it on the outside of the storm door? Not sure how to do that, but what do you do, if you have a similar situation? I am open to suggestions here!


Meanwhile, as I am sitting here writing to you, the same crew who installed our storm door yesterday are back today, applying some necessary weather protection clear coat on our front deck. We also need to do the same for the back deck, but one thing at a time, and this one needed it first! I have been debating for some time whether or not to paint or stain the front deck, but just couldn't decide and time is running out on keeping it protected from the weather. So we decided to go ahead with just a clear coat, which hopefully will look good once it is finished. I keep hoping they will get done with it before I finish writing this post so I can go out and get a picture of it completed. But I may have to wait and do that the next time. All those porch rails are making it a bit more time consuming than I thought!




These are just a few of the things I am thankful for this week. God has been so good to us, and we are exceedingly thankful. These "things" that I've listed are mostly that, just things, but behind all of that is the wonderful fact that I am here to enjoy these blessings that God has provided. Our health is nothing to take for granted, and every single day I give praise to God for His loving care for me and for my loved ones and friends.

Again I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and words of encouragement over the past weeks. You are all such a blessing to me. I hope to get around to reading your posts more consistently now that I am feeling much better. Visiting with you is something that I truly look forward to and another blessing not to be taken for granted!!

Have a blessed and wonderful week dear friends!