Of Being Prepared

So last month I reread a book on my shelves, a biography about one of my favorite artists, a book stuffed full of her paintings. 

It's altogether lovely, what with all those colors and prints of happy times and people and details from her early life, except that this time I noticed something which bothered me much.

There was not one mention of God. 

Neither the author nor the artist gave any credit to God for all these paintings, no one mentioned, not even one time, about this being a God-given talent. No words expressed thanks for His inspiration or help or anything else.

And by the end of the book? I felt incredibly thirsty for the things of God. And disappointed. And quite tempted to give the book away--a temptation I think I'll obey.

I believe God wants us to aim for having all our decisions, motives, actions, thoughts, plans and well--everything--to originate from His heart. 

Anyway, I brought that up because Tracy asked what sorts of things am I doing to be better prepared should Tom be laid-off again or decide to retire early. And so, what am I doing? I'm trying to hear from God as to what I should do. I don't want my own 'bright ideas'.

Uh, no.

Instead, I so desire to obey God in every single area. Obedience today opens lots of future doors tomorrow.

I hope that makes sense and I hope that none of you walk away from my blog feeling as (unsatisfyingly) thirsty for truth as I did when I'd finished that art book.

But quickly, the practical side? When Tom was laid off, I remember feeling sorry that we'd not had more money in savings, at least enough for 6 months (we had enough for maybe 2), for I'd been procrastinating setting more money aside for years (tsk, tsk). But thankfully, Tom was given a severance check --though not a huge amount of money, it was a huge blessing.

I wished I'd been more stocked-up on groceries.
That I'd replaced my worn-out dishtowels, regular bath towels, also.
I'd procrastinated buying a new clothes to replace my old, tired farm ones.

Note the recurring theme there? Procrastination. Sigh.

We did some things right, though. 

We had no car payment.
We weren't in debt to credit cards. The only amount on our credit card was the expenses from our vacation which we were set to take four days after the lay-off, expenses which we paid as soon as we arrived home. 
Too, we've always tithed--and always will.


So! What I'm doing now so to never again be caught unready? Asking questions and acting accordingly--


Pretending that today my source of income has dried up. 
What should I have done earlier to prepare? 
Which credit cards could I have paid off? 
Which new items should I have bought so to replace old, nearly-worn-out ones? 
Am I stocked up on groceries?
What sacrifices can I make now so to be prepared for later?
What ways of having fun can I list which are free or low cost?
What hobbies can I become more proficient at so to keep me productive, busy and a blessing to others later?


But again--be led by God in all things--and leave the procrastination behind.  ツ


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"For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right."  ... Psalm 84:11

"Man's mind plans his way, but God directs his steps."   ... Proverbs 16:9

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