Thankfulness

I have had a year that has seen many changes.

This year saw the early hopeful buds of spring, the late frost that killed said buds. This year saw pruning, a cutting back of unfruitful boughs. This year has seen a drought which forced a new growth of roots. This year has been a year of transplantation and learning to grow in a new environment.

This year has not been easy–it could have easily broken and destroyed a much stronger woman than I. But God, in His infinite grace, has caused this weak woman to withstand such a storm so that He might be revealed strong amidst my weakness.

Today I’m thankful…

…for dreams rising and being dashed–and for a hope secure beyond my dreams

…for doctrines and worldviews challenged, some confirmed–and for an anchor that holds amidst it all

…for relationships broken and formed–and for the friend who never leaves me nor forsakes me

I am thankful for the material and ethereal changes this year has wrought…

…the transition from student to professional

…the move from Lincoln to Columbus

…the transfer from one church (in Lincoln) to another (in Columbus)

…the awakening of my mind to the things of God

I am thankful for the many new things this year…

…for new blogging friends

…for a new home

…for a new church

…for a new Bible study

…for a new job

…for a new book club

Many things have changed this year, but one thing remains the same: The God who began this good work in me is faithful to complete it. And today, I am thankful most of all for the faithfulness of God so clearly seen throughout my many life changes.

I don’t have a theme for today’s thankfulness. I don’t have energy to come up with a theme. But I’m thankful nonetheless.

Today I’m thankful…

…for the package that arrived at the House of Dreams today

…for the internet that got hooked up in the House of Dream yesterday

…for dinner and a movie with my roommate

…for new renters for the townhouse that mean Casandra and I can save ourselves a month of rent by moving out early

…for bright pink shoes and the joy they bring to my residents

…for compliments from coworkers (I am way too blessed!)

…for very helpful Menards salespeople (I’m sorry that the rest of you don’t experience the same service I do–have you tried shopping for hardware wearing a skirt and heels?)

…for my sister and I both being home at last

…for the nap I took in the car yesterday BEFORE I fell asleep at the wheel (as opposed to the one I took a week ago AFTER falling asleep at the wheel–talk about scary)

…for the grace of God that has brought me safe thus far–and the grace that will lead me safely through these last few weeks of craziness too.

It may well be that I’m too in love with stuff. It may well be that I’ve bought into the materialistic American dream (I finished David Platt’s Radical this morning and have a bit of thinking to do on the thesis of said book.)

But the truth is, I’m very thankful for the stuff I’ve got–and especially for the stuff I’ve recently been given or have acquired at a reduced price.

Today I’m thankful…

…for a lovely time in Boston with Aunt Joanne and Uncle Paul and for the stuff they blessed me with–

—two quilt tops pieced by my great-great-aunts, now being sent into my keeping (Anna and Grace and I will have to get them all quilted–and then haggle

–a camera with a working viewfinder, which Joanne gave me, completely unexpectedly

–a folding umbrella which Joanne and Paul forced on me on my way out the door–which served me well in that last day of Boston rain

…for the multitudes of FNCE paraphernalia, particularly–

–the canvas bag with a relatively innocuous California Raisins logo

–the water bottle from the honey board

–the vegetable seeds from Monsanto

–the lunch bag from the American Heart Association

–the LTC pocket reference that I bought at reduced price

…for the household stuff and clothing I got at Goodwill this past evening–

—seven shirts ranging from long sleeve sweaters to ultra-wicking athletic shirts

–a boyfriend cardigan in comfy gray knit

–another smart jacket for those business-y days

–a pair of ultra “sexy” jeans (just ask my Grace-bug, they’ve got her stamp of approval)

–two pairs of comfy lounging pants

–a long red nightgown

–a red fabric belt to go with my cute yellow shirtdress (and, as Gracie says, with…well, a lot of things in my closet)

–a dust ruffle for my bed

–four awesome towels to be made into bath mats for my bathroom (which is going to look amazing when it’s done)

–two flat sheets, also to be used in making bath mats

–a valance for my bathroom

–a new piece of blueware to add to my collection

–a nice big wooden shelf–that’s going to hold my blueware in my bathroom (once I’ve painted the shelf navy blue, that is)

—three picture frames (that only need minor modifications before they can be used in my new bedroom)

And best of all, I love that I was able to purchase all of this for under $60!

Of course, I’d be remiss in telling of all the free and reduced-price items I’ve received if I didn’t express my thankfulness for the ultimate in free gifts:

…the gift of right standing with God, purchased by the blood of Christ.

…the gift of heavenly citizenship, won by blood not my own

…the gift of adoption, sealed by the Holy Spirit through no act of my own

I’m thankful to God for the things He has graciously granted me–but even if all these things had never been given, or if they should all in an instant be taken away, I should still have more than enough. For God, in His grace, has chosen to give me the gift of all gifts, Himself.

**In the interest of disclosure, all the free stuff obtained at FNCE was obtained from companies/organizations who had an ulterior motive in offering me free stuff–namely, getting my stamp of approval on their items/products. While I am grateful for the free items given me, I do not necessarily agree with the positions of all of said companies and organizations. As always, views expressed on bekahcubed are my own.**

As I embark upon a very busy couple of weeks, I’m thankful for the advance planning (even if it was all done Tuesday night!) that will enable me to make it through the week.

Today I’m thankful…

…that my aunt recommended a couple of great places to stay in Boston–and that I booked a room at a hostel in advance (at a MUCH lower cost than a hotel)

…that the other TA graciously agreed to teach my labs and let me teach hers next week

…that presentation outlines are available online so I can print them off before I go

…that I have a versatile wardrobe that makes packing a cinch

…for the warning my aunt gave me (before I left town to work) that it’s “wicked cold” in Boston

…that this week’s grading is pretty simple–and should allow me to get it done on the plane

And most of all, I’m thankful that God forsees what I cannot and that His will will be done through this next busy week.

Today I’m thankful…

…for the fall break that meant I didn’t have lectures to prepare on Sunday–which meant I could enjoy a fantastic BET party instead

…for the fall break that meant I didn’t have a lab to teach on Monday–which meant I could fly up to Columbus to get some work done and attend a Continuing Education opportunity

…for the fall break that meant I didn’t have a lab to teach on Tuesday–which meant I could spend the day doing a luxurious nothing (that is, laundry and sewing and blogging and reading and watching a movie with my little sister!)

…for the work I got done at work during fall break which meant I could leave work a little early on Wednesday–which meant I could actually sit down and enjoy a meal with my sister before Bible study

…for the work I got done at work during fall break which meant I didn’t have to feel rushed to get everything done today

And then there’s the non-Fall break related stuff.

I’m thankful for…

…the house Anna and I got to look at this morning–and that we at least have an opportunity to be in the running for it (Please let it be, Lord–This house is practically PERFECT.)

…the health that I’ve been blessed with when so many are getting sick these days (knock on wood!)

…the air mattress I sleep on in Columbus–and the hope that I’ll soon be sleeping on my own bed up here (in my own home, as well)

…the coworker who took a considerable amount of time hunting down a weight for me today

…the realization that God is in control (even when I’m steaming at how ObamaCare is affecting our industry. It’s a tough time to be in healthcare, especially in long-term care.)

And I’m just thankful that, well, that God is and that He made me and that He places me where He wills and that His plans are always good–beyond my wildest dreams, even when they’re considerably “less” than my wildest dreams.