Thankful Thursday

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I hope your week has been great so far! Rebecca Jo and I would love for you to link up with us today for this week's installment of Thankful Thursday. I hope you join us! I was going to participate in the link I joined last week, Fashion Files with KellyAnn, but since I only worked Monday, then had some snow/ice days at home and stayed in warm pajamas, I decided to spare you those pictures. 😉 That being said, I will jump right in with today's post! 

I am thankful for the fact that I'm back at work today! I started working with students on Monday, so I'm glad to get back to that and to a routine. Although, it has also been nice to be paid to be at home for two days in a row, because I was able to get caught up on the things I'd fallen behind with. We had not one, but TWO snow/ice days this week, thanks to an ice storm that came through on Monday night and into Wednesday night/early Thursday morning. I'm writing this in faith that I'm back at work today. I love my job, so I love being there, but who doesn't love a couple of unexpected days at home?

Which is why I'm showing you a picture of our dryer and telling you that I am thankful to have one that works. Ours went out over the weekend, so after I'd caught up on laundry that day, I couldn't do anymore until Todd went to buy this one Monday night. I'm also thankful for our very nice neighbor who offered to help my husband when he saw me out there with him. Even though we've replaced our washer at least twice since having a new dryer, it was time for a new one. This one dries our clothes so quickly, even on the energy efficient setting. I tested it all day long on Tuesday as I caught up on laundry, including doing sheets and all the dog blankets. 

I am thankful for the word of God. I know that I say this often, but I truly mean it from the bottom of my heart. I feel like I've grown so much closer to the Lord since before Christmas. Because of the holidays, my part time job at the attorney's office had grown slow at that time, so I stayed home a lot and caught up on Bible reading. I finished reading the Bible for the year early, in fact, because of that. 

When I finished reading for the year ahead of schedule, I still needed something for my morning quiet time, so that's when I went to the library and borrowed some books. It was then that I "accidentally" stumbled on Bob Goff's book, the one I'm using for my quiet time right now. I thought it was a regular nonfiction book like the ones he writes that I love, but it was a devotional. I started it when I brought it home, and just kept going each day. I bought my own copy, it was so good, but everyday when I open it up, it's exactly what I need to hear. Add to that the fact that it doesn't take me very long in the mornings, which is helpful since my morning time is so valuable to me now. (I leave home Monday-Wednesday, and Fridays at 8:10. On Thursdays, I leave at 8 for a devotional and prayer time that starts at 8:15.)

I'm including a link to Amazon for this, because I've talked about this book no less than a dozen times so far in 2023. Click here for your own copy! I'm showing you a couple of the pages I've marked up, which is why I wanted it in actual book form. You can read this for free right now on Kindle Unlimited, if you're a Kindle reader.

I blocked out their names with my hand in the picture above, but after reading this particular day, I was prompted to pray for some friends that go to our church. 

God is amazing in so many ways, but one of my favorite things about Him is that His word is truly living and active. The amazing thing about me not reading through the Bible this year like I've done every year for the last twelve or thirteen years is that the Lord knew I wouldn't be home as much. I needed something that would help me draw closer to Jesus in my faith, but I also needed short and sweet, which is why this book has been perfect for me. None of this is coincidental, either. I don't believe in them! Everything, and I do mean EVERY thing is orchestrated by God. 

Each day has one or two Bible verses, and sometimes that's all I read in the mornings. Other times I will go and read the whole passage that contains those verses, so that I can know the context of what I just read. This picture above was a day that I did that; I read the whole passage and made notes in my Bible.

I am thankful for quality time with people I love, my husband being my top priority, and our sons being second. Do you know your love language? Mine is quality time, followed by physical touch. I love hugs and my family is always sweet to oblige. 

I am thankful for encouraging words from people I know and love. I have always been and will always be the type of person who really appreciates the kind words of others.

I am thankful for new friends at school/work! 

I am thankful for the fact that we're allowed to have a Thursday morning Bible study there each week, something called Reset, and that a new friend invited me to sit with her. I'm also thankful that our administrators were in there with us—I feel like this is something astounding in a public school. 

I am thankful for the time at home to be comfy and cozy, and to go without makeup for 48 hours straight! I say that kind of jokingly, but I'm also very serious. I've been extremely busy since the beginning of December, and that's a big deal for this introverted girl, who is slowly becoming less and less introverted. 

I'll wrap this up with one of my favorite Scriptures, which is such a great reminder for me today as I go back to work. 

It's your turn! What is one thing you're thankful for this week? I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all! 🖤 

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