This past Thursday, we observed and celebrated Thanksgiving 2020… one unlike any other we’ve experienced due to Covid-19. Some of us lost loved ones throughout the year which made this a difficult time to be joyful. Some of us observed this day without being close to those we love, due to fear of spreading Covid. My family decided to gather. Most of us received Covid testing prior to gathering and the masks, lysol and sanitizer were in abundance. We opened windows in the house and decided to do most of our fellowship outside underneath tents. We were grateful the rain subsided and we were able to enjoy the weather. It turned out to be a perfect day.
My granny wanted each of us to write down and recite what we were thankful for this year. After saying grace, in a huge circle, all twenty-two of us shared. It was a reminder that even though we may have experiences loss during this season, there is always something to be thankful for. His grace and blessings are plentiful and even through times of uncertainty, God will see us through it all. Reflecting on what I am most thankful for came to me around 4am on Thanksgiving day and I shared four of them during our family circle on Thanksgiving day. It was not until later that evening that I added the fifth one after realizing how important it was to me and my journey
Five Things I am Most Thankful For This Season:
-T.Harris
- Life & God’s Mercy: I am extremely blessed to have another day to get things right and to live for Him. I am thankful that my personal relationship with Him has grown. It’s a work in progress but there is tremendous growth and I have to keep working at it daily. I pray to approach life and see things the way God wants and needs me to for His glory.
- My Family and Friends: We are not perfect but we are able to put up with each other, hang out with each other, and support one another even though our lives are beginning to shift. We are growing older and each experiencing life differently. My hope is that we continue to love and support each other and most importantly have a personal relationship with the Lord so that we can conquer the world!
- My Career: (job + work fam + students): I have a great place to work and have been able to grow into the teacher I want to be. I am so grateful for new opportunities that are on the horizon! To GOD be the GLORY! My boss is amazing. She is fearless, professional, and overall… just a great leader. My coworkers have become second family. You know what they say about a family that prays together! Finally, at year five, I have been able to peel back the layers that allow me to be real with my students where I once felt restricted. This newfound place allows me to truly desire to get to know my students beyond my science class. I have a lot to learn from them and I am so thankful for this.
- This Country: Even though we face some hard times as a country and there are some really cruel people out here, I am thankful to be in this place. In this place, I still have the freedoms my ancestors fought for. In this place, I can still choose light, joy and positivity despite the darkness that tries to overcome us.
- Barnes and Noble: Yes, you read that right 🙂 I am thankful for the Barnes and Noble franchise store.
Nerd Alert! In this space, I admit to spending a lot of time in the cafe area of bookstores. Specifically, I LOVE spendings hours on end at a local Barnes and Noble…Augusta or Macon depending on where I am at the time. I am dedicated to driving 30-45 minutes from home to spend hours browsing through the Religion/Christian Living, Young Adult, or Self-Help books.
It’s becoming a highlight of my weekend. I just love the serenity of the space. The bright lights, the vibrant book displays… even eye-catching odd items near the register (that most people probably do not pay much attention to) it is all just so appealing to me! Love the coffee too! Mostly though, I love seeing the different type of people that share the space. From the toddler skipping the books and going straight to the toys to the older gentleman searching for his next vinyl record, I love seeing the variety and getting just a glimpse into their story simply by observing how they choose to spend their time in the bookstore. I never get tired of seeing the young people sitting on the floor near the Manga, Sci-Fi, or Graphic Novels. They give me insight into what my students might be into (I teach… 8th grade).
For me, Barnes and Noble represents comfort, productivity, variety, peace and knowledge. It also represents newness because seriously, before 2020 I do not recall entering a bookstore by choice. More like by obligation to purchase a book for class.
I am thankful that though it took me to year 28 to figure out what this place means to me, it is still around… It’s timeless.
-T.Harris
I really feel the need to break this down because it becomes more powerful for me, the more I read that section above. And of course, since I am sharing my journey with you, I want to shed light on how this bookstore plays a part in my spiritual journey.
#1- Discover it for Self: The bookstore is a place I had to discover for myself. It was always been there, I’ve entered there before. But, until I found what it represented for myself, it had little value to me beyond the surface layer of buying books for class. Personally, I feel that there was a level of maturity that I had to reach before being able to truly appreciate this space on a deeper level.
#2: Reside in It: The bookstore (organization-wise and the trinkets) was always appealing to me, but I was just browsing… didn’t really spend a substantial amount of time there. Amen! I had to make a conscious decision to find that bookstore, to enter into those doors. In sitting there for hours at a time… I found that I was comfortable and also productive in this space. It became a place that I truly enjoyed spending my time.
#3: Learn from It, Live it: When I am exploring the space, I take my time.. I read through titles… sometimes I browse through my phone about titles or authors I’ve come across recently. I choose a few and take them back to my seat to figure out if the book would be beneficial to purchase. I am always excited about the opportunity to interact with and learn from the words written. Yes, it’s the knowledge for me!
Why this place…a bookstore? And why during this time…in the midst of a global pandemic? I hear you, Lord!
For a lot of things in my life, I like to find the symbolism. Now, I recognize these times of meaning making as God’s divine intervention…His way of connecting the dots for me and allowing me to bear witness. I am so thankful that though it has taken me this long to get to this place in my life, not another second spent in a place that doesn’t make his presence known.
And for you, I pray that in the midst of whatever storm you are personally experiencing, you are able to find a place that represents this type of newness. A place of self-discovery, of comfort, peace, and knowledge.
Know that He is all of these. He is this place and He is timeless!
My Truth and Honor 