November 17
I have an attitude of gratitude that several teachers and others encouraged me to write. My school years were filled with opportunities for which I am thankful, and teachers who saw promise and shaped my voice. I fell in love with words in Mrs. Meyer’s class. I loved debate when Miss Gorman and Mr. Sullivan helped me manipulate arguments, write rebuttals, and see the essence of a topic. Today, I remember the teachers and mentors who guided me, shaped my talents, saw signs of promise, and helped me become the person God can use in a unique way, just where I am, since He knew where He would place me to serve Him during my life.
Today’s Scripture: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17
Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, I thank You for preparing me for this very moment, and that You have blessed me with understanding of my purpose, that I may serve You. Thank You for those who have instructed me, for surely You placed them in my life for just such a time as this. I thank You for their instruction, that even now, much later in life, I can recall their life lessons as much as the skills they helped me develop. May I do all that I do in Your Name and to Your glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
November 17 Thanksliving Journal: Gratefulness for training and teaching to prepare me to do Your will.
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November 17 Items, pictures, sketches, photos of those who lovingly prepared me, instructed me, guided me, mentored me, a legacy of memories, a place I’ll return when I need reminders of evidence of His love for me in every situation.
Scripture references regarding being prepared for service:
Scripture references to teaching and learning.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”(Proverbs 27: 17)
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” (Proverbs 1: 8-9)
“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, He is s shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in dong wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.” (Proverbs 2: 6-15)
A career teacher, with forty years of teaching language arts/English, Betty Jackson enjoys wordsmithing, writing, and reading as a vocation and avocation.Retirement is her "age of frosting," a chance to pursue postponed hobbies with gusto. She especially sends kudos to the Space Coast Writers Guild members for their encouragement and advice. Her five books, It's a God Thing!, Job Loss: What's Next? A Step by Step Action Plan, and Bless You Bouquets: A Memoir, And God Chose Joseph: A Christmas Story, and Rocking Chair Porch: Summers at Grandma's are available at Amazon.com. Ms. Jackson is available to speak to local groups and to offer her books at discount for fundraising purposes at her discretion. She and her husband soon celebrate their 47th anniversary, and have lived in New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and now the paradise of Palm Bay, Florida. Their two grown children and daughter-in-love, all orchestra musicians, and our beautiful granddaughters Kaley and Emily live nearby. Hobbies, and probably future topics on her blog: gardening, symphonic music (especially supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra as a volunteer and proud parent of a violinist, a cellist, and an oboist), singing, book clubs, and co-teaching a weekly small-group Bible study for seniors. She volunteers and substitute teaches at Covenant Christian School, and serves as a board member of the Best Yet Set senior group at church. Foundationally, she daily enjoys God's divine appointments called Godincidences, which show God's providence and loving kindness.