Today I am thankful for the early morning stillness and for the cool, crisp air of the new morning. I am thankful for new beginnings and fresh new starts that come with each rising sun. I am thankful for the crisp sweet first bite of an apple. I am thankful for the cold, wet noses of our cats and the exuberant greetings of our dogs each time they see us, they never grow weary of us!! I am thankful for weeds in the garden that remind me to check for weeds in the soil of my soul. I am thankful for daughters who hum and sing as they work, bringing cheer to our home. I am thankful for 8 year olds whose questions and non-stop creative ideas keep us growing and humble. I am thankful that our hearts can soar above the dark valleys because we know Him who guides our steps in the shadows we cannot see our way through. I am thankful for a Father whose heart weeps with ours, who holds our breaking, aching hearts in the palm of His hands, and who, after bottling our torrent of falling tears, pours out His balm of healing. I am thankful that we can know that it is always darkest just before dawn, that joy comes in the morning…and that we can put our hand in the Hand of He who calls the dawn forth. I am thankful that light banishes darkness, and that there is a Son who is brighter than our sun, whose Light can banish the darkest, deepest, scariest secrets in our hearts. I am so very, very thankful that I need not accept the dreary condemnation of the Accuser of the brethren, but instead can grow into the glorious image of my creator and fulfill the Divine purpose He has for me.