Thankful Thursday

This week's list:

~ God's handiwork in creation.  This is surprise plant.

~ A respite from the heat.  It was near 100 last week, so days in the low 80's are a welcome relief.

~ God's grace for another year of homeschooling. We finished Astronomy and History this week. All that's left for Algebra is the last chapter on conic sections. Spanish and writing will continue through the summer, Lord willing.

~ It may sound like a broken record, but I'm thankful for our church and specifically our small group.  Last night's meeting was refreshment for the soul in the middle of a busy week.  I'm thankful for brothers and sisters who share each other's joys and sorrows.

~ God's providence. Though plans may change unexpectedly, His ways are good, and we can trust Him.

~ This beautiful description of our heavenly reward from Samuel Bolton:

I conceive then, that by eternal rewards is meant whatever ought to be the utmost of the desire of a renewed and sanctified soul.  Certain other writers have written about this matter most excellently, so that I need not enlarge further. It is, in brief, the fruition of enjoyment of God; the enjoyment of Christ, who is the Pearl of great price; the enjoyment of the Spirit, the true Comforter; it is the perfection and fulness of grace; it is an eternal Sabbath, a rest, a rest in Jehovah, in whom there is all rest.  It is a rest after pilgrimage.  All pantings after Him here below are now exchanged for rests in Him.  He is the Christian's centre, his proper place of rest.  It is a glorious rest.  Here rest and glory seldom meet; in Heaven they meet perfectly, and that for all eternity.  

from The True Bounds of Christian Freedom, Banner of Truth Trust, page 196-197.