A Joyous Thank You

"My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." (Psalm 28:7b)

 

Look at that girl. Doesn't she look tremendously joyful and ready to fly into the sky?  This little miss on the front cover of a "Thank You" book illustrated by Mary Engelbreit reminds me of Julie Andrews singing her heart out on the mountain top in another favorite movie of mine called "The Sound of Music."

I delight in books such as this one even though it was published in 1993. A young teacher of my aquaintance thinks that for a book to be useful, it must published within the last ten years. Ah! Contraire! She will never know the joys of delving into the classics. I remember spending many blissful evenings or weekends reading them when I was a girl. Many times I was probably sneaking a read when I should have been doing homework or chores though! *Wink*

Most all of my wonderful "vintage" ME collectibles came from thrift shops and flea markets. (Guess What? Mary is still alive and well and cranking out her art!) The items in my collection are aged to perfection, sometimes with chips or missing pieces, but most are completely whole and well-loved. A couple of my girlfriends love to gift me with their exceptional ME bonanzas. You know, for all of us, it's the thrill of the hunt and the joy of discovery!

Anyway, this little 32 page "Thank You" book takes a poem, divides the lines and intersperses it with Mary's illustrations. The first line of this poem is: "Gratitude's a memory that is held within the heart. . ." and the ending lines are: " to offer you the warmest thanks a heart could ever hold for every lovely, lasting memory." I'm sure this book was intended as a lovely gift for a lovely friend.

 

My Gratitudes this week are =

 

1. Thank God for dear friends = "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy." (Philippians 1:3-4); "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? (1 Thessalonians 3:9)

2. I'm grateful for treasured memories = "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19); Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Philippians 4:8).

3. For warm fuzzies!  = "but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:7,8)

4. For the shepherd = "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11)

5. For treasures = "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." (Proverbs 24:3,4)

 

Here's your link, dear Donna, to HOME! Be sure to bookmark it in your favorites in case I forget again! Will be looking forward to reading your gratitudes for this week!