Good Things: 1.19.18

Because of winter weather hitting Middle Tennessee this week, I had an unexpected day at home on Tuesday. Every morning since then, my first coherent thought upon waking up is to ask, “What day is this?”

All that aside, today is Friday, which means it’s time to celebrate all the good things from the week that was!

1. Snow day! Snow days don’t usually mean sleeping in for me, mostly because I’m part of the process of notifying local TV stations when the university won’t be in session because of weather. But Tuesday did mean a day at home in cozy socks, eating yummy soup and trying to write a story while it peacefully snows outside my window. Oh, and chasing my dog, Mac, around in the snow, which he thought was the best fun.

2. A good night. I help with an arts ministry at my church that helps students develop their artistic gifts for the glory of God and edification of the church. We teach them to sing and lead worship as well as other ways they could use artistic interests like graphic design, writing, photography, etc. We kicked off the spring semester last Sunday with a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings and played some fun games. It was good to be back with my students (7-12th grades) and to see some new faces.

3. Blessings. There are moments when I am just thankful to God for the way He provides. During a recent sermon at my church our pastor asked us to consider what it was in our lives we were withholding from God, not letting Him have control of. As I prayed, the answer was clear to me: finances. I acknowledged that truth: I don’t trust that You’ll truly provide for me, God, I prayed silently. I walked out of the service determined to loosen my grip on the financial resources He had given me. But Christmas was expensive. And life is expensive. And I have some medical bills, and Mac needs to get his teeth cleaned. . . the list of things goes on and on. This week, God gifted me with two—count ’em, two!—freelance opportunities.

4. Completing to-dos. Strength Finders ranks my top strength as “achiever,” so it just makes sense that the fact I’ve been able to check a number of items off my to-do list at work and home despite the snow day makes me happy.

5. Warmer weather. I love living in a place where I can experience all the seasons. I don’t mind cold weather, to a point. And apparently that point was a windchill below zero. Warmer temperatures are on just around the corner, though!

6. Book suggestions! We almost have a winner. Help me pick the final book in my 2018 reading list. The finalists are By The Book by Julia Sonneborn, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain; Unseen by Sara Hagerty and So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson. Follow me on Twitter (@countessmandy) and vote in my poll to pick the winner!