Adventures in Literature

Thoughtful Thursday: Finding Grace in the Chaos

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by

Ashley B.
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Happy Thoughtful Thursday, friends! As I sit here sipping my second (okay, third) cup of coffee, the hum of my kids working through their homeschool lessons fills the house. The morning sun filters through the window, highlighting the stacks of books scattered across the table—some for the kids, some for me.

It’s moments like these that make me pause and reflect on the delicate balance of our lives. Balancing full-time work, homeschooling, and carving out moments to recharge with a good book feels like a juggling act most days. But today, I want to share a few thoughts that have been on my heart this week in hopes they resonate with you, too.

Grace, Not Perfection

When I first started homeschooling, I had this vision of what our days would look like—perfectly structured, everyone eager and excited to learn, and the house somehow staying clean. Reality? It’s a little more chaotic. There are days when the lesson plans go out the window because someone’s having a tough time or when work deadlines loom larger than life. But that’s where grace comes in. Learning to extend it to myself has been one of the greatest gifts of this journey.

Perfection isn’t the goal; connection is. On those messy days, I remind myself that my kids won’t remember whether every worksheet was completed. They’ll remember how we read together, laughed over a science experiment gone wrong, or cuddled on the couch with a story.

The Magic of Small Moments

Life’s big milestones are wonderful, but it’s the small moments that sustain us. A quiet morning with a hot cup of coffee, the sound of giggles from the next room, or the joy of finishing a particularly moving book—these are the threads that weave our days together.

This week, I’ve been intentional about savoring those moments. I’ve found that the more I slow down and take note of these pockets of joy, the more resilient I feel when things get tough. It’s like storing up sunshine for rainy days.

Books as Lifelines

As a book lover, reading has always been more than a hobby; it’s my lifeline. When the kids are in bed, and the house finally quiets down, I sink into a story. Historical romance has been my genre of choice lately—there’s something comforting about escaping into a world of ballrooms, letters, and timeless love stories. It’s my way of recharging, of stepping into another world so I can return to mine with a little more patience and perspective.

If you’re looking for something new to read, I’ll share a few recommendations at the end of this post. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the right book can change everything.

A Gentle Reminder

So, on this Thoughtful Thursday, let’s give ourselves permission to pause. To breathe deeply, sip that coffee (or tea, if that’s your thing), and find beauty in the midst of the busyness. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Let’s extend grace to ourselves and others, embrace the magic of the little moments, and remember that it’s okay to let the dishes sit while we dive into a good book.

What small moments have brought you joy this week? Are there any books you’ve been loving lately? I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Let’s keep this conversation going and inspire one another to find grace and joy in the everyday.

Until next time, my friends, happy reading and happy living.

Book Recommendations

Time-Travel Romance

  • Gabrielle Meyer
    • When the Day Comes (Timeless Series #1): A young woman lives two parallel lives in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and 1914 England, forced to make a choice that will determine her destiny.
    • In This Moment (Timeless Series #2): A continuation of the time-crossing romance series, where the heroine balances two lives in 1861 Washington D.C. and 1941 Pearl Harbor, facing love and loss.

Regency Romance

  • Anneka Walker
    • Refining the Debutante: A debutante transforms her reputation with the help of a reclusive but charming neighbor, discovering love along the way.
    • The Masked Baron: A Regency romance about hidden identities, a mysterious baron, and an unexpected connection.
  • Laura Beers
    • An Unwitting Match (The Lockwood Family Series): Lady Edwina Lockwood and Miles Burke, the Earl of Hilgrove, find solace in each other’s company as they navigate loss, unearth buried secrets, and risk their hearts for a chance at love.
    • Secrets of a Lady (Lords & Ladies of Mayfair Series): When Miss Lizette Kent’s life is upended by her mother’s death, she is thrust into a world of mistaken identities and hidden truths, forming an unexpected connection with Tristan Westcott as they uncover secrets that could shatter their futures and hearts.

Western Historical Romance

  • Karen Witemeyer
    • To Win Her Heart: A blacksmith with a troubled past and a librarian with a guarded heart find unexpected love in a small Texas town.
    • More Than Words Can Say (Patchwork Family Series #2): A bakery owner and a shy but strong man enter a marriage of convenience that grows into a tender love story.
  • Misty M. Beller
    • Hope’s Highest Mountain (Hearts of Montana Series #1): A frontier romance about survival, faith, and finding love in the rugged wilderness.
    • This Daring Journey (Heart of the Mountains Series #6): A journey through the Rockies brings danger, trust, and a blossoming love.

Small-Town and Coastal Historical Romance

Gilded Age and Victorian Historical Fiction

  • Joy Callaway
    • The Grand Design: Inspired by the true story of The Greenbrier Hotel, this novel explores ambition, love, and the strength of women in the Gilded Age.
    • The Fifth Avenue Artists Society: A young woman navigates love and heartbreak in New York’s Gilded Age literary circles.
  • Michelle Griep

Dual-Time Mystery and Suspense

  • Jaime Jo Wright
    • The House on Foster Hill: A gripping dual-time mystery about a woman uncovering dark secrets tied to her family’s past.
    • The Souls of Lost Lake: A haunting story weaving together past and present, as faith and courage bring resolution to long-hidden mysteries.

Looking for book recs…

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