Snark & Sensibility

PLEASE WELCOME

JULIE COSGROVE

TO

HAVING THE PRIME OF MY LIFE

Sometimes I think I am the only author who carries a Medicare card in my wallet and still works for a living. Then a devotional writing friend of mine reminds me her career began once she settled in an assisted living center. Her writing income allows her to stay there and have good care.

Widowed at 56, I have not had a spousal income to support my writing for almost eleven years. For the first several years of my widowhood, I eked by with a freelance writing business, but the “chicken or feathers” routine was nerve-racking.  I never knew what monies would roll in each month or how many “gigs” would land in my lap. My late husband was not great at retaining jobs, so we rarely had anything in a savings account, much less any retirement accounts or pensions. After I buried him, there was very little left.

The constant uncertainty began to affect my writing flow and my prayer life.  I decided to find a part-time job to supplement my income. Having a steady amount deposited in my checking account each week greatly relieved my mind. However, I wondered if acting on my own showed a lack of faith that God would provide for me. 

God has been gracious to prove me wrong. My faith has steadily grown stronger, and I hope my writing has as well. Doors have opened, and yes, a few closed. I look back and see that each action was in His merciful plan and was used to His glory.

I still freelance, but my part-time job has allowed me to write only faith-based works instead of relying mostly on secular articles and ghostwriting. I have had thirteen novels traditionally published and two Indie-pubbed since my husband passed as well as two Bible studies and three devotional works. I write for several devotional publications and websites and am an editor overseeing 29 devotional writers for Power to Change, the digital arm of CRU.  My own blog, Where Did You Find God Today? is in its eighth year with readers in over 50 countries.  I also have had the privilege to content edit over 15 faith-based works over the past few years and have met amazing authors who also write for the same publishing houses. We support each other’s works, pray for each other, and chat often.

Would I like to retire? Perhaps. But I have no grandkids to spoil, no yard or garden to maintain, and no spouse to chase around a cruise ship, so… 

Besides, I really enjoy working in a doctor’s office at the front desk. I relish in persuading insurance companies to cough up what they should pay and also chatting with the patients. Many hold interesting lives.  When I smile and call them by name, their faces light up and it makes my day.  Even during the pandemic’s height, we remained open. My doctor felt God had called him to treat people who needed his specialty and it really requires hands-on care. 

Oh, there are days I swipe the alarm tune on my phone and groan. But mostly I thank God that I have income, an interest in working, and the energy to do so. I have no idea what the future will bring. But I do know one thing. It is written on a plaque a friend gave me. “I may not know what tomorrow holds by I know Who holds tomorrow.”

I have always had at least one more meal in my fridge until payday. I have always been able to pay my rent and utilities on time, though I few times I held my breath and wondered. God always provides. I live comfortably in comparison with most in the world.

 I have often held onto Matthew 6:25, Do not be anxious about your life, what you eat or drink or wear…  Jesus ends with the reason why. “Seek first his Kingdom and it’s righteousness and all of these things will be added unto you” (vs.33)

As long as I seek God, He will provide. It would take 100,000 more words to even begin to relay the many ways He has come through time and time again.  To pout that I cannot have a nest egg would be to dishonor Him and ignore all the blessings He has bestowed upon me.

If by His grace, one day I can retire, I doubt I will ever retire from telling others how He cares about us and for us. I hope, no matter your financial situation, you feel the same.

ABOUT JULIE COSGROVE

Julie B Cosgrove writes contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and mysteries with a smidgen of romance. She also writes Bible studies and devotionals. She is a Grace Award finalist, INSPY award semifinalist and was awarded “One of the 50 Authors You Should Read” by the nationally syndicated Author Radio Show in both 2015 and 2016. Her books won Best Inspirational Fiction and Best Cozy Mystery by the Texas Association of Authors. 

Discover more about Julie

www.juliebcosgrove.com   
blog: Where Did You Find God Today?
Twitter@JulieBCosgrove, LinkedIn, Facebook