Be Grateful!

Be grateful, for heaven sakes, for all that you have! Don’t let minor inconveniences upset thankful countenance.

I pen these words this week after seeing what has happened to so many after Hurricane Helene came through. We were lucky, maybe inconvenienced cause school was out, or there was a tree in our path, but no one hereabouts died as a result of the storm, and damage was minimal.

However, others weren’t so lucky. There are places in our state that were hit hard, and Asheville, N.C. and surrounding areas are struggling mightily. That did affect us…and will more. You see, Ingles, the only grocery store in town has its headquarters in Asheville. And it lost everything. So for a few short days stores across the region could not take electronic forms of payment. Cash only.

So, when in there, I inquired how it was going to some employees. Several had been blessed out because they only took cash. Never mind, it wasn’t the fault of the employee who received the tongue lashing; groceries were still available and they were still honoring the old sale prices. and the company is under water, has lost much, including, probably lives of some workers. Here we are, virtually unscathed several hours away, and we had a little inconvenience. But some people were mad!

There was a sign at the door saying cash only. It was posted on the register. I know personally at least one person who did not notice the big pink sign, and left her groceries sitting there when she learned she had no way to pay. I’m sure she wasn’t the only one. But why?

Life is so much better if you live it gratefully. And at this juncture, we should all be thankful…it could have been us under water from the hurricane. We could be experiencing homelessness and loss of life. But no, we merely were had a minor inconvenience of having to go get cash before going to the store.

There were still groceries. There were employees to help you. But cash was required. I’m sure Ingles, who like all grocery stores suffered during the pandemic, will have supply issues for some time to come. It may be more than a little inconvenient if you have to leave town to get that necessary ingredient. But, we’re alive, and able to help others.

Have you seen the outpouring of love to people in those hard-hit places. Jasperites are sending all sorts of items to help our neighbors down the road and up the road. I’m proud to be a part of a community which is doing that. Several different people are spearheading relief efforts, and as many hands make light work, we are helping our neighbors.

We have friends in Georgia, former Jasperites, who plan to be without power until at least the end of the month. But they are persevering. We read of the horrors where Helene hit…more than 200 have died, and there’s another hurricane bearing down on Florida as I write these words.

So look around people, see what God has given us with blue skies and warm days and cool nights. See what we have access to at our fingertips. And think about those who have lost everything. And those who have lost loved ones. And those who have reason to cry. Then, be grateful, and show it in all you do! Life will be better for you as well as those around you.