Sunday, April 26, 2020

This Could Save Your Life




"A person's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?"   ... Proverbs  20:24


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May this wild, historic Covid19 Shut-Down finally teach us these:


1.) Never wait for the Holy Spirit to make perfect sense. He knows the future, we don't, so how could we understand it early?

2.) Always stay awake spiritually. 

3.) Always live prepared for any change of circumstances.


And well, I'm sharing my past, below, only as a possible help for your future, ok?


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It's weird. 

The Holy Spirit never even spoke the word 'pandemic' to me. No, really. I don't recall that He did.

Instead? He just quietly nudged me to prepare for the pandemic I didn't even know was careening toward us.

Over ten years He led me to teachers who taught me:


To keep a 2-month supply of food and household stuff upon our  shelves. To rotate those things. (Now I'm aiming for a 4 months' supply.)

To research articles about the Great Depression and create back-up plans for my family in case one happened again.

To take vitamins and natural remedies to beef-up my immunity and so to ward-off ear-infections, digestion problems and sicknesses so I'd not need to venture out to a hospital or doctor's office.

To learn to garden and to keep perennial herbs, onions, berries, chives, etc. growing. To always have seeds upon my shelves and a compost heap outside.

How to order all food and supplies online, have a shopping routine, a system in place so when the pandemic hit? We'd not need to venture out to a supermarket. 

(Let me add I'm only afraid of one thing regarding supermarkets: seeing my much-loved Buffalonians resembling herded zombies as Tessie described here.)

That we could use a gel-fuel fireplace, which then led me to discover hand sanitizer is (was) a cheaper substitute for the gel, which then meant we had a lovely supply of sanitizer when this pandemic hit.


Oh, and last year I asked Tom to buy a couple face masks so I could change the litter boxes more comfortably (er hem). Tom being Tom, ordered 2 whole boxes of masks. I gave one box to our neighbor who then took them to the Fire Station where they were received with almost tears of gratitude.

Again, the Holy Spirit gets all the credit. And Honey, I'm not just quipping that. For me, on my own? Forget it. Tom and I would now be whining about our own ineptitude and empty shelves instead of the opposite.

Oh may we all express great gratitude for a God who will aid, lead, direct, whisper and give wisdom to anyone willing to actually fear choosing their own plans over His.






"She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come."   ... Proverbs 31:25

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit ... will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." ... John 14:26


"So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."   ... 1 Thessalonians 5:6

And I forgot to add:: Last November, God began getting me out of bed around 3:00 a.m. so I could go to 'God College' via Youtube. During that time of learning I also met probably 10 teachers/pastors/pundits/preppers whom He's now using to give me much confirmation regarding what I feel deep inside these crazy days. I'm so thankful for those people.





If we, ourselves, come out of this historic covid19 shut down time having changed nothing? Learned nothing? Viewed nothing differently? Woe be unto us.



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To be truly prepared for anything? We must be willing to listen to knowledgeable prepper folks like her. (And personally, if I'd not been willing to s-t-r-e-t-c-h and watch or read crazy-sounding prepper videos or books, I'd not, for sure, be prepared today for what has happened.)






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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15

4 comments:

Betsy said...

I agree with all that you have said today. I'm so glad that I was taught by my depression era Mama to always have stock on hand. I appreciate all of the links you provide for us so I can learn even more.
Blessings,
Betsy

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I find that the LORD has been prepping me for my entire life. Although we had circumstances that prevented me from having lots of food on hand, we did have some emergency supplies. I also know how to make do with what I've got in a lot of different ways.

It's been my life.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Laura
HarvestLaneCottage.com

Debra said...

Thanks so much, Betsy! I love sharing links and am always happy when I find a good one. My there are tons of great ones lately! :)

Welcome, Laura! It's always a treat to see a new face in the comments. It sounds like we have much in common---I think you'd like my previous post about stretching things to make them last. That's something I've done for my 41 years of marriage and I, thankfully, actually enjoy it. :) So just in case.... here you go (and thanks for commenting!) -- https://debrasotherthoughts.blogspot.com/2020/04/sometimes-its-not-how-much-you-have-but.html

Thank-you, Ladies! Blessings, Debra

Pam said...

This post rings true. God really does lead us and teach us how to live, no matter what may come our way! My husband and I were talking about how our grandparents and parents lived, and we've tried to follow their example. They always gardened, saved, mended, maintained, and made do. They were positive and prepared. I praise God for leading you, Debra, and I am so glad that you have followed him in these past years. Not only have you prepared for you and your family, but you have encouraged the rest of us to do so, also. Thank you!