New here? Thankful Thursday is something we’ve been doing in these COVID times; a (frugal and free) exercise to help us hunt for the good that is in our lives and in the world, even in the midst of a pandemic.
I started this post draft earlier in the week, before the sad events in DC yesterday. I don’t know quite what to say about it, but it seemed odd to jump into today’s post without at least acknowledging that it happened.
I have lived through plenty of election cycles, and I took for granted the peacefulness of the transfer of power from one party to another (Republican to Democrat, and Democrat to Republican) and from one president to another.
I hope and pray that this year is anomaly, because the storming of the U.S. Capitol is not a thing I’d like to ever see again.
And just to be clear, I don’t think that was a remotely justifiable thing for people to do. I could say a lot more, but I’m just gonna leave it at that.
This week, I am thankful:
that this election season is about to be behind us
I have never looked forward to the end of an election season as much as I have this time around.
(Probably because there has never been such a bumpy one in my lifetime!)
that we had a nice warm day for taking down Christmas lights
Christmas lights are 79% less frustrating when your hands aren’t freezing.
for a week with fewer doctor appointments
It feels like I have been going to appointments a lot lately.
Nothing’s wrong; it’s just that everyone needed eye checkups and the followups to those, dental appointments, plus dermatology checkups and braces checkups, and so on.
So I am thankful for less of that this week.
And I am also thankful that it is possible to still get those appointments taken care of, even in the midst of a pandemic.
that we got our stimulus check already
We were pretty far back in line to get ours the first time around, so I figured the same would be true this time.
But nope; it’s in our bank account already.
Also a happy thing: it came as a direct deposit. Our first one was on a prepaid card, and we know how I feel about those.
for lots of sun in the forecast
A lot of times, winter days around here start out sunny and then turn cloudy in the afternoon. So, I know that will probably happen with some of these forecast sunny days.
But at least I can be pretty sure the day will start out with sunshine, and I love, love, love sunny mornings.
that all my appliances are currently working
I am seriously not taking that for granted lately.
that our cat actually likes her new Ikea house
We used to keep a cardboard box here for her, but that was pretty ugly to have in the living room.
So, we picked up an official cat house from Ikea, and she really likes it. You never know if cats will actually use a thing you buy for them, so I was pleasantly surprised.
So, the cat is happy and I am also happy because this looks much better in our living room than the cardboard box did.
that sunset happens at 5 pm now
Not that I am checking sunset times every single day or anything.
Lucky Vi
Saturday 9th of January 2021
I am thankful that a very stressful and difficult week is over. My elderly uncle had a heart attack on Monday, and I am so glad that he survived it. He had heart surgery just a few weeks ago to clear out a massive blockage in his heart, and I have been praying that he would be ok; and worrying about him being exposed to Covid post-surgery. He's recovering now, and I am so very thankful!
LoriB
Friday 8th of January 2021
Finding it hard to comment. My heart is in my throat. I’m not one who feels comfortable going against the flow even as an invisible person commenting on a blog but I am... Thankful for the Word of God. Have been turning to it more and more because I am so confused. Confused by the way people treat each other. Frustrated by how we all dig in our heels and think the worst of each other and refuse to look at another’s concern. We lump everyone into 2 camps and the other side is our enemy. I notice as I read these comments on a favorite blog that our country is more divided than ever. If we voted Republican we must be the enemy and vice versa. All Republicans will be lumped together. So I am thankful for Romans 12. It teaches and reminds me what my response should be. The whole chapter is great. Verse 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Thankful that I don’t have to have all the answers or have my way to behave this way. Thankful that as a follower of Jesus I am a citizen of heaven. I don’t have to worry about who to vote for there. Thankful that the US government is not the answer to my problems. Financial or medically.
Kristen
Friday 8th of January 2021
Lori, everything you said was just fine; no worries. :)
I do not identify as one particular political party; there are aspects of both parties that I agree and disagree with.
It seems like I am hearing from both Republican and Democratic party leaders that the invasion of the Capitol was not acceptable, though; that seems like a rather non-partisan viewpoint. So please don't feel unwelcome here just because I said the invasion of the Capitol wasn't ok.
And I'll just add that yes, I agree with you that regardless of who is in power, those of us who follow the Lord can still do exactly what we are supposed to do (which the verse you quoted lays out). There is no need to panic or catastrophize; God has laid out good works for us to do, and there is no "as long as the right person is in power" asterisk on that verse.
Jean
Friday 8th of January 2021
Thankful for the day I had at a local wildlife sanctuary with my 2-year-old grandson (Thursday). It was sunny and bright, a little chilly 37 deg.--so gloves, scarf, and hat. We had the money in the bank to pay for costly repairs to both of our cars. My husband had an appointment for his car. My engine light had come on a couple of times, so I started to have a concern. Yes--I needed another repair, just had one in Nov. But my car is 7 1/2 yrs old but basically runs well for what I need, has been dependable, is paid off, and the repair was less than a new car. The entertainment we have had this week is from the chickens roaming the yard, looking in the window The ladies and I had a wonderful walk through the woods on Monday. We started out at 8:30 a.m., it was brisk but nice. There was a beautiful waterfall.
priskill
Friday 8th of January 2021
What you said, Kristen -- an incredibly sad day for all Americans. We can all disagree but the idea that violence is acceptable is not remotely American. I am thankful it is over (hopefully) and that we can move on in our lives without all this division.
Thankful that:
My mom can get her vaccine next week! And I am somewhere in the list or tier since I am in class. Sooo I can eventually go visit my mom without quarantining and putting her at risk. :)
We are healthy -- let it stay thus!!
My friend and I are walking regularly and both feeling better and stronger -- all the little aches and pains are kind of diminishing.
In the silver lining department, not being able to fly east to see my family at Christmas enabled us to save money. We have hardly gotten take out and we keep cooking our dinners.
It is Friday -- treat day! We are ready for food I didn't slap together.
Happy weekend to all!
Hummod ewpl
Friday 8th of January 2021
It's not sad. It's finally a chance for another side to be heard. Which hasn't been able to happen whatsoever.
It's so bias, untrue, & very unpatriotic the stuff that's put out there.
Kristen
Friday 8th of January 2021
There are legal ways to protest and be heard. Invading the Capitol is not one of them, and doing so is extremely unpatriotic.
That sort of behavior is not appropriate from any side of the political spectrum, and it is not how America is supposed to operate.