Simply "Thank You, Lord!"

     The newly engaged couple with Matt's wonderful parents, Rhonda and Tom. Blessings--thank You Lord!   "Praise the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His mercy endures forever." (Jer.33:11)

     And with two of Mary Norris' dear friends, Hollister and Sally.  They are holding up the adorable cookies the Dibbles sent up (featuring a little stick figure kneeling and proposing to another stick figure!  And they tasted as great as they looked!) More blessings--thank You, gracious Father!  Ah, the priceless gift of friendship!  "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Ps.34:8--one of my favorite verses since I love to eat!  Just a little tiny "taste" of how good and glorious our God is!)

     And then there's Janie with her sweet friend, Simmons... and good old Moses.  Even more blessings, Lord!  Thank You, thank You!

     And there' the breathtaking spot where Matt proposed.  This is the overlook... and these are more priceless gifts--three of 'em--that sometimes just make me weep in gratitude.  Nine months ago, who could have dreamed?  Thank You, Great Physician and Rock.  "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." (Nah.1:7)

     And of course, there must be golf... and three boys, treasures from the Father.  What can I say but thank You thank You thank You, Lord!
      Remind me, Lord Jesus, when I get worked up over the insignificant and the temporal and the replaceable in life, that the greatest gifts in our lives are not possessions that we hold or places that we go or accolades which we receive.... or perfect homes or bodies or circumstances or lives or anything which the world says brings happiness and fulfillment.
     No!  Our joy, Father, is in You.  You are our hope.  You are our Treasure.  You are our Rock and our Stronghold and our Glory.
    And You are the Giver of ALL good and great gifts.  And other than our greatest treasure--the Lord Jesus--it is the people You have placed in our lives that are our most priceless and joyous and wondrous gifts.  Oh, Father, forgive us when we take any of them for granted.  Forgive us when we demean or diminish in any way any of Your beloved creations--Your children--each of whom You loved so infinitely much that You sent Your only Son to redeem and restore.
     Help us to love them, love them all, Lord, as You love them.  And remind us daily of the wonder of their presence in our lives.  Sure, they're not always perfect (nor are we).  Sometimes they may seem like "a bruising of a blessing!"  But they are Your blessings in our lives, Your gifts.  And we simply say, thank You, Lord.
     Give us more wonder.  Give us more love.  Give us more Jesus.  To God be the glory.