An #OSJ Writers' Wednesday: Be Thankful

​“The best time to
begin keeping a
journal is
whenever you
decide to.” 
​
― Hannah Hinchman, A Life In Hand

As the snow gently falls in Oswego County it is easy for me to be thankful. We have good health, a home, heat, running water, food available, and three vehicles for the three employed people who live in our home. Rather than worrying about how to stay warm or what we will eat today, we have the blessing to look out our clean windows and choose to be thankful. We don't have the biggest house or the newest cars. We might not have the all the food we "want" but we have more than enough to fill our needs. I am thankful.

Why do I share this today? Simple, as I volunteer at one of the local food pantries or through my job at the local school district. I have seen first hand the effect of worrying about one's basic needs being met. We too have lived this life within the past few years. This is the first year we were able to fill our fuel tank with the 150 gallon minimum. For a couple years my husband and brother-in-law were getting twenty gallons every pay day to get us through and we prayed it didn't get too cold. We kept warm in blankets and learned many lessons.

As you pick up your journal today, write about what and who you are thankful for. How have you seen God provide for you in ways that only He could have. I remember a time a couple years ago when we had to pay a bill by a certain date to avoid disconnect and as we prayed...God was already answering. On the last possible date, an unexpected check arrived in the mail for an over-payment for the exact amount needed to pay our bill. God is good.

Instead of focusing on the worries or stressors, focus on ALL THERE IS TO BE THANKFUL FOR! There is so many things we can choose to recognize and thank God for. He uses our neighbors, family, friends, churches, and strangers to meet our needs EVERY DAY. I hope you fill your journal page(s) with the ways God's provided for you. Never lose hope!

Write about what you are thankful for today!