Today is the Day that the Lord has Made.

[Thoughtful Thursdays]

Today we snuggled. So. Very. Much.

We made cupcakes.

We danced. We had a dance, dance party.

We studied our sight words and did our homework [both of us].

We sang songs to Jesus and we sang songs about Jesus. 

We read our devotions and learned about love, peace, and blessings. [we are super, duper blessed].

We played with our puppies and fed our fish. 

We. had. fun.

Giggles. Wiggles. And sassiness galore. 

The Good Shepherd. (Thursday Thoughts)

Do you ever have one of those nights where you sleep but it's a 10 minutes here 10 minutes there kind of sleep? Well I have....my loves decided it was one of those nights last night. So today I am a bit of a zombie of sorts. I know there are places I need to go and things I need to get done but I am in a fog (thank you iPhone calendar for keeping me on track!) So pardon my disorganization....

This week I ordered a few new devotions for myself, I have one handy for little ones but I haven't had one just specifically for me for a while now (other than the Bible itself). So I splurged and invested in a few. But until they get here I still am reading and exploring and rediscovering things that I learned in my youth. I love that about life and the Word, there is never a right time to go to it, but even better there is never a wrong time. It takes two seconds to find a verse or passage that can change your entire outlook for the day. I love every inch of that thought. 

Here is what touched me today: 

^{John 10:14} “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

There is something so powerful in this, for me. (Pardon the rambling) It is so simply put. It is so basic. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the barrier for us in all times of our life, whether we choose to believe it or not. He is the Good Shepherd. That statement right there just hit home with me today. For so many reasons. He chooses to stay when others run away from us, even in our times of trouble He is there. He wants to see us succeed, even when others do not. If we stray He is there waiting and protecting us. That, my friends, is all the pixie dust I need. I love knowing He is there, no matter what. Period. 

So have a wonderful day, this day before Friday. God has today covered. 

Bethanie Nicole Photography

Thanks.giving.

I was snuggling up with Mini today at work and we were chatting about life, and she had overheard someone talking about how when Christmas comes around they give less fortunate children toys. She was confused. She then told me about how just this month people talk about what they are thankful for. She was confused again.

The reason for her confusion? She said it so perfectly, "Mommy, we give all year round to people and donate what we can, and we tell God what we are thankful for all year round, not just November."

Out of the mouth of babes.

I am blessed every day out of the year. We all are whether we acknowledge it or not. I try so hard to make it a point to show my thankfulness and teach her to do the same. I believe the old adage, 'To much is given, much is required," And Mini and I have been blessed abundantly in love, grace, peace, monetarily and spiritually and because of that it is my joy as a roll model and parent to teach giving and donation to instill a servants heart. And let me just tell you, Mini has the sweetest heart out there. Goodness she is amazing!

So I may not partake in posting what I am thankful for, for a month, but I hope that I show what I am thankful for year round. I hope I make it personal, and I let those around me know my inner gratitude. I hope everyone embraces thanks.giving. Even maybe past Black Friday :)

Even the smallest of gifts count...