November 18
I delighted in Mrs. O’Rourke’s discipline in teaching me journalistic style, although I have struggled to forgive her for telling me, “Now, Betty June, I know you want to be a reporter, but only men can do that job. You’d be a great teacher!” She was right, I was a great teacher, but she quashed my dream. What I learned, I taught. My students won writing awards and distinction, and with an attitude of gratitude, I thank my teachers for helping me to bless others with my writing. I found my niche, my God-given talent, and hopefully have influenced many with what they taught and allowed me to teach as well. Now, as I complete my eighth book since retirement, I rejoice in what she taught me and the vision she had for my life.
Today’s Scripture: “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Provident Father, Master, help me today to rejoice, to live a life filled with Your praise, regardless of whatever situation I find myself in. You promised to uphold me, to keep Your Word fresh in my heart whenever I come to You. Thank You for the written word, for instruction, for Your direction, and for always being accessible to me as I pray continually. In Jesus’ Redeeming Name. Amen.
November 18 Thanksliving Journal: Those who saw promise and what You planned for my life
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November 18
Items, pictures, sketches, photos of those who believed in me and guided my pathway, 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 to those who could see the future and prepare me for it.
“She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him. . . . She said to her husband, ‘After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord and he will live there always. . . After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. When they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the boy to Eli,,, and she said to him, ‘As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.” (I Samuel 1)
The Magnificat ( Luke 1:39-56)
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes tome I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. . . For my father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6: 35-40)
November 19
I express my attitude of gratitude that I can read and write, that I can expand my world through vicariously reading about others who have lived life. I can study the Scriptures. What a privilege. I think of girls in the world who are forbidden education. What a pity. Those who never think about the loss of these cannot possibly understand my attitude of gratitude. It is immense.
I am indebted to the teachers, mentors, counselors, family members, and friends and acquaintances who have taught, listened, cajoled, advised, disciplined, and fashioned me into the person I’ve become. And to a merciful Lord who has permitted and ordained this.
Today’s Scripture: “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 7:1-3)
Prayer: Jehovah, Jirah, You have protected me from evil, prepared a place for me, and directed my pathways. I thank You for the prayers of protection uttered by my parents, my mentors, and Christian saints who prepared me and still uphold me in prayer. Use me to pray for others, as they have prayed for me. In Jesus, Amen.
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