Let me begin this post by saying without apology it is post about faith and gratitude and if you’re not a person of faith, you may think I’m a tad crazy…but that’s okay, it’s not far from truth. Today started out as a typical Friday in the Johnson homestead, with morning posts for the Ridgeview news, grandkids, buttermilk pancakes, and obligations for busy people. We’re healthy enough to do it, so no complaints. But along the way God blessed in ways that many folks don’t understand. Either because they’re too blessed to catch little things, or life is hard, or their hurting, or they’re just not currently in a place to feel blessed. I’ve been there too, I totally understand. It is why there are days that the little blessings over whelm me.
A dear friend ran me down today to gift me the beautiful ”Happy Planner” and the hand made cup. What she did not know was I had looked at a similar planner the other day, but it was expensive and not nearly as nice as the one I was given. But I opted not to buy it because on one of my smarter moments, I thought…eh…. it’s something I want, not something I need. But God sent her…
The cup is a similar story, I looked at one at the Wood Festival, and thought, nope… you’ve blown enough money Shari, move along. But God sent her…
Gas prices are killing everyone’s finances. For me, it’s no different. And running for the Ridgeview News has become more and more difficult because even my little Kia Soul (seeker), which gets excellent mileage, costs $60 to fill up and 13 gallons of gas only runs so long until it’s thirsty again. But tomorrow is a Calhoun event in Gilmer; the Football Team’s golf Tournament fundraiser. I needed to cover it, but again, that’s a quarter of a tank of gas or maybe less, but it’s 5 bucks a gallon. So do I go, or do I stay. But this afternoon a message popped up from another friend, who wanted me to know she’d be taking pictures at the golf tournament and I’d be free to use her work. And she’s an amazing photographer. I was struggling. But God sent her.
There were countless other blessings throughout the day. Time with David. Yard Sale bargains of things I wanted but didn’t want to pay full price and then… God sent them.
I don’t take these things for granted because I know Who is responsible, and I’ve had days when things weren’t good, and I wasn’t happy, and I didn’t understand that even then, God was so good. And I give Him Glory through tear dimmed eyes because wealth is truly not a financial thing. Wealth is best described by Apostle Paul who said in
Philippians 4:11 KJV
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
While I continue to struggle to manage time wisely, often exhausting myself – mind, body and soul, God sends people into my life to encourage me to continue on. On a day when I had allowed myself to be convinced that the Ridgeview News wasn’t that “big a deal” and I probably wasn’t making a difference, a cousin came up to me and handed me $40.00 to thank me. She didn’t know I was very discouraged… but God sent her.
There have been so many people who have encouraged me with comments and suggestions since January. And I am so grateful for each one of you. Something as simple as a ”like” on a post I just put up, and I know they haven’t read, but they were waiting, makes me smile and sometimes laugh and means so much.
I said all that sappy stuff, to say that I will be very uncomfortably asking for help to produce the Ridgeview News. I’m going to continue, because I believe God called me to it and our community needs it. But I’d like to do it with less struggle.
The average cost of a daily or weekly paper is $1.50 each. Any way you do the math, whether it’s times 365 or 52, that’s a sum of money. I’m not requesting any specific amount of money. But for the next month, June 10th – July 10th there will be a daily post with a request for financial support. If you don’t have it, or feel I deserve it, you pass it up without regret. But if this publication pleases you, and you’d like to help me do a better job, the paypal link will be an easy way to help. Or you can mail it to P.O. Box 486, Grantsville, WV 26147.
I said all that because I wanted you to know, that I believe God is good. And I’ll be provided for in ways I never expected. And that I’m grateful for you. I want to be a source of news and inspiration that keeps you informed and encouraged.
On that note… Good night and God bless.
Shari Johnson, Publisher of the Ridgeview News
