Thankful

I've already mentioned that I turned 30 this month.  Normally, I view my birthdays as not so celebratory occasions.  That's silly.  What I realized this year is that birthdays are gifts, just like so many other good things God gives.  So, in my new found spirit of gratitude, I've made a list of some of the things I'm thankful for.  Without further ado, here they are (in no particular order).

I'm thankful for:

1. My identical twin sister
2. A small room in a big house with girls who love Jesus like I do
3. Chris Quilala, Kim Walker (especially her laugh) and their friends
4. My job at Skanska which is the kindness of God in job form
5. Dinner, good conversation and general walking through life with the Berrys
6. A healthy family, good conversations with my sister-in-law, SYTYCD and NCIS marathons
7. Space heaters
8. Playing the drums at church
9. Coffee, coffee cups, coffee cup lids, coffee smell, coffee shops
10. Melatonin
11. The smell and thrill of used bookstores
12. Friends a girl could only hope to find and they are mine
13. Long car rides
14. Jesus Culture and Bethel Live Pandora stations
15. Nathan, Caleb, Kylie, Ellie, Connor and Landon (and that I get to see my brother and sister as parents)
16. The faithfulness of God that will take me the rest of my life to grasp
17. A church that is such a blessing to me, I don't have words (except these...and eph. 3:20)
18. A mom who has always loved and supported me
19. My precious nephew who calls me Uncle
20. Colorful trees, covered bridges and sunsets.  They are my favorite.
21. Neil Diamond
22. Sushi - (the happiest food on earth) especially with my brother Joshua Arthurs who shares my sentiments
23. D-Group
24. That I get to go to school for pretty much the rest of my life one way or another
25. The Bible
26. God's constant, compassionate, deep love for me
27. Books
28. My bff Allison
29. So many people I am so very grateful to have known and to know still
30. Turning 30

Soapbox

A couple weeks ago, I was teaching first period, Bible, to a classroom of 7th graders. We were reading the story of Joseph. How he experienced so much trouble and heartache and still put his trust in God.  How he saw God come through for him.  One of the verses we were supposed to cross-reference with the Genesis text was Jeremiah 29:11. "'For I know the plans I have for you,'" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" I figured some of the kids might not have heard it before, so I strongly encouraged them to memorize it and keep it close to them always so that they would never forget that God is faithful. No matter what they face, no matter how they feel, He knows the plans He has for them and His plans for them are for their good.

Around the same time, my 30th birthday was approaching.  I was determined not to have a bad attitude this time around.  Gratitude, it turns out, is a fantastic antidote for getting-old-gloominess.  And by God's grace, I was grateful.  Mostly.  Except for the teeny tiny pesky part of me that poked its head out every now and then to whisper the question, "Shawna, has God forgotten about you?" Doubt. I hate it. The stuff that closes me off to the perfect love of God. The stuff that questions His goodness and His kindness. It folds my arms over my chest and keeps Him out. But He came to my rescue with His Word. His promise.

In the middle of my doubt, He reminded me of my soapbox from first period.  Jeremiah 29:11. A verse I've known for a long, long time. I've known it for so long I guess I just forgot about it.  It was as if He was saying to me, "Shawna, do you see?  I know the plans I have for you. I've known them all along. I haven't forgotten about you."  It wasn't just a soapbox.  It was truth.  And it's just as true for me as for my 7th graders.

There's more.  This week I got a belated birthday present from my boss.  Attached to the ribbon was a little gold key chain.  Guess what's carved into the key chain. Yep.

"For I know know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11.