If We Could Have, But Didn't

"Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest- -and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." --- Proverbs 6:6-11

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Back in 2015 when I became all Polly Prepper, I'd read comments after Christian prepper videos (especially), warning us to get ready for a dicey future.

What types of viewer comments did I often spy below the videos? This kind:

"If something happens, God will provide for my family. He'll make food appear, people will drop it off, we'll supernaturally have enough. This prepping stuff isn't necessary when you believe God."

Yikes. 

Five years and various covid-19 repercussions later, I often wonder how many of these folks recall those videos while standing for hours in food pantry lines, praying there'll be food left for their family.

But mostly I pray they're prepping now, though knowing people as I do, well, my faith lacks a bit there. As Tessie titled an April video, If You Don't Prepare Now, You Probably Never Will.

I must agree. 

Yet let me vehemently add here that, yes! God does provide for His children. He certainly does. But He also expects us to do our part. We have a part, He has a part. 

We err when we dump our responsibilities all in His lap.

Anyway, I believe good times will return to our Country. I do! If Christians wake up, cease hiding, pray, speak up, unite and vote biblical values. 

But before better times return? Well, oh dear. I believe we've some rough months ahead, at least six. Yet if we prepare, get our house in order now? Spend time with God and obey His specific, wise plans for us now?

We'll be ready for anything ahead.

And not just prepared and calm, but overflowing in joy, love and wisdom, plenty enough to splash all over others who fainted along the way.

One way God provides? By sending us teachers who share vital information and who warn us.

"But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”   ---Luke 21:36

Love warns.

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So have you felt convicted to store some groceries, but are unsure if you've room enough? Well, join the club. Living in this 860 sq. foot house could challenge any serious prepper.

But here are a couple ideas using Sam The Old Cat's crazy-expensive cat food boxes. Probably I've repurposed 40 of these.

These, below, are in my office/guest room, kinda hidden in plain sight storage. I spray-painted then labeled them and they hold small items like:

Bottles of onion and garlic powder.

Jars of hot sauce.

Envelopes of taco seasoning

Tea, Jello

Sardines, pepper, paprika

Cough drop packages

Protein bars, etc.

Down in Tom's office I use those boxes for canned food. Tho' not a fan of storing cans on their sides, this is more my current-use supply. I don't have an official pantry, alas, so these free up space in other areas for more long term storage.

I have 4 more of these boxes on the shelf, below.

Also upstairs here I have two more sets of shelves where I've stored lots of canned and packaged food, but I've placed an off-white canvas curtain over each to make them look neater.

Did I have to get rid of trinkets, books, etc. so to create room upon these shelves? Yes. Yes, I did. There comes a time when, no matter how large or small our home, we must decide to keep what's most important and then release the rest.

Always, where there's a will, there's a way.

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Okay, this was rather fascinating, fun and bittersweet. Four sisters (the video says friends) began taking a yearly photo of themselves in 1975 and in this video you'll see 40 years worth of changes. (What a wonderful project!)

Oh! And I made a half-batch of Aunt April's Refrigerator Pickles from the recipe I gave you here. They came out wonderfully. Yum.

And lastly, as I wrote at Facebook today:

Reason #26 why I'm anticipating Heaven: Everybody will use wisdom and common sense there. Woo hoo!

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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