Wise? Or Foolish?

How incredible!

It was the middle of October, and I was sitting at my desk looking out my window, watching it snow! It was an amazing beauty! I popped over on social media, and many posted pictures of this rare occurrence.

I can’t help but wonder how many are feeling a bit panicky at this new weather event!

For my family, I believe we’re doing pretty good. We recently purchased a gas cook stove and fireplace, which will keep us warm should the electricity go out. And sadly, where I live, the electricity goes out often…the local power company blames it on squirrel activity. I’m not so sure about that! At least now, we’ll be warm, and I’ll have hot coffee in the morning even if there’s no power! LOL, That’s always a plus!

Occurrences like this cause me to wonder how prepared others around me really are for emergencies!

Reminds me of the story in the Word in Matthew of the foolish virgins.

Matthew 25:1-13  
The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten young women took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom.
 ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 
³ The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil. 
⁴ The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps.
⁵ The groom was late arriving, and the young women became drowsy and fell asleep. 
⁶ Then in the middle of the night someone shouted, “Here’s the groom! Come to meet him!”
⁷ When the women got up and started getting their lamps ready, 
⁸ the foolish ones said to the others, “Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out.”
⁹ Those who were wise answered, “There’s not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves.” ¹⁰ While the foolish ones were on their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The five who were ready went into the wedding, and the doors were closed. 
¹¹ Later the others returned and shouted, “Sir, sir! Open the door for us!”
¹² But the groom replied, “I don’t even know you!”
¹³ So, my disciples, always be ready! You don’t know the day or the time when all this will happen.

Are you prepared?

Do you have……

Extra food stored up?
Extra medical supplies?
Enough water supply?
Activities for when there’s no power…no television…no internet…no way to play those games?
Additional light sources?
And more??

We must be aware of these things to survive the situation.

Prepared in the old days

I remember way back when I was a kid…oh, maybe when dinosaurs roamed the earth! lol We had a very large garden. Mom and grandma canned a lot when harvest came in, so we had plenty to eat throughout the year. I remember a hole being dug out back lined with a thick layer of straw, then root crops placed gently on the straw. Another thick layer was placed on top and then covered with a lot of dirt. We also raised chickens, rabbits, and goats. We had a good supply of eggs and three different types of meat, many of which were canned. That lasted for a long time.

I can vaguely remember grandma making lye soap in the big ole black kettle over a fire in the backyard. She was always making quilts, and mom made most of my clothes when I was growing up. I guess we were poor, but I don’t think I felt that way. It was just our way of life! And we survived!

Are we doomed to repeat?

From my experience, history is there to help us learn how to do better and be better. Yet, I am beginning to wonder if we’re not, in fact, repeating some things from the past. The Great Depression should have taught us a valuable lesson. Then again, maybe those who lived it are no longer with us. They cannot teach the younger generation the importance of being prepared! Still, all reasons aside for that time in our history, we are intelligent and should therefore learn and prepare! That is our individual responsibility. No one else should be responsible for providing us with what we need. Are we wise? Or are we foolish? But that’s just my thoughts!

Final encouragement

Find out what you may need to survive.
Store necessary items.
Learn new skills to be able to care for your family.
Develop a relationship with this man called Jesus!
Read His Word, for there is much wisdom written therein!

Many are daily living in fear!

If Jesus lives in us, we do not need to walk in fear. As a matter of fact, in His Word is written enough times to be a daily encouragement to ‘do not fear’!

Now, to me, it’s not always that easy to not be afraid; however, I’m learning to better control my emotions. I am also learning to repeat to myself as many times as necessary, my God does NOT lie! If He tells me in His word that He’ll never leave nor forsake me, then I must believe He won’t!

The enemy, the devil, Satan, will do all within his power to invoke fear in you and those around you. You, however, can learn how to stand…’having done all to stand….stand!’

I must use wisdom…foolish or wise…which for me means turning that television off instead of filling the atmosphere of my home with fear-based news or programs. I’m also realizing what music I listen to or material I read plays a key role in my fear level.

#nofearhere

Peace! Ah, sweet peace!

I encourage you to learn how to guard your peace!

Encourage yourself! If necessary, write out uplifting messages on paper and tape them around your home or workstation. When we repeat these messages, it will soon change our way of thinking. You are in charge of what goes in your mind. You can make a difference in the atmosphere around you!

God is for you, NOT against you!

You are a precious, beloved person!

You are greatly loved and valued!