"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." --- Isaiah 55:12
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So Mrs. Youtube Watcher (me) heard tons of this last month:
"Get prepared (or else!)!"
"Hard, bad times are coming."
"Prep as though your life depends upon it!"
"Grow a huge garden! Small ones don't count."
"Work all day long! Work! Work! Work!"
"Be angry at what the government is doing to us!"
Hmmm.
Well, ol' Debra lives a different way. These past 2 years (especially) she calmly checks her master stock-up list to see which items are low, then adds those non-perishables to her weekly Aldi list. Three, maybe four at a time. (No hoarding or panic allowed.)
During rest times (many) with slow good-byes and final reads, she cleared 320 books from her shelves. Over 2 years she strolled with them down to the Salvation Army drop-off. The empty bookshelves? She filled those with Aldi groceries, placing curtains or framed art in front of them.
No harried supermarket trips amongst wild crowds at her little store.
Sitting in front of garden beds with her hand-rake, she cleared the leaves away. This required weeks, but got her humming out in the sunshine.
She dumped pots of old soil into the compost, added her secret ingredients, waited some days, then poured the 'new soil' into pots. Afterward she planted seeds or kitchen cuttings like celery, green onions, carrot tops.
She should've planted seeds indoors by March, but no one is perfect. ヅ
Oh, and she moved pots to places where she can more easily water them. This year ol' Debra is about making all work easier, simpler and more pleasant for her 63-year-old body and mind.
Like I said, she sits on her red couch and watches Youtube where she learns all sorts of things about preparing for the future, including financially. She actually tries some ideas and some succeed for her, others don't, but her life feels as though it's progressing.
Slowly, inch by inch, lovely day by lovely day, progressing.
Of course, she realizes some folks thrive on hurry, hurry, hurry! Work! Work! Work! And hey, if they're truly thriving, loving Life that way, why not? Wonderful for them.
But Ol' Debra must choose a different route. She knows herself; the one-step-at-a-time way God created her--and probably that's why He started her prepping early, like 6 years ago. Whatever's ahead in the road she'll be prepared, just after a calmer, still-loving-Life pace resembling this one:
"And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful." ---Colossians 3:15
And all shall continue to be well as long as she follows Grace.
I find balance, vital. As a Country, we're currently in spiritual warfare so we must do whatever it takes to remain strong. Wearing ourselves into physical and mental weakness will not do that.
I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly to the full until it overflows." --John 10:10 (amp)
"The American dream is to chart your own course. To succeed or fail, but to have a square opportunity ..." ---Glenn Beck
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For fans of Lucille Ball and/or Mark Twain, you may enjoy this video.
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Reading, reading. Debra does lots of comfort reading and here are some of her favorite authors over at Open Library.
Everyday I say, "I love this life which God has given me". I hope you do, also.
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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
8 comments:
This is a post brimming with your strong and peaceful approach to life. Colossians offers sound advice to Christians, make Christ the center of your life, Paul wrote from prison. We like some of the same authors, do you read D.E. Stevenson, I like her books, set in the 1950s in the English Scottish borderlands. I am in my 70s and slowing down too! More time to read and garden.
My life is much like yours. I did plant a very small, teeny tiny garden this year with green beans, zuchinni and one cherry tomato. I should be able to keep that up, even in the heat and humidity. The world seems like such a big scary place anymore. I love knowing that Jesus is with me through it all and my haven is my home. Only He can change my heart and my mind to be in peace.
Have a lovely Saturday Debra.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I refuse to panic. I've seen this before (1977 gas prices soared. 1980 recession was more than a fact to our household. 2009 economy was too) For almost 30 years, my husband and I have lived on about the same salary within a couple of hundred, through good times and bad. I have a stockpile albeit smaller than I'd like. I know how to be frugal. I've spent the past year diligently practicing a no food waste lifestyle. I refuse to live in fear or panic. Reasonable caution, yes. Not fear or panic. God has carried us thus far. Why would he suddenly stop now?
Loved reading this, Debra. Your words are soothing. I'm learning to work a little bit at a time, too. And no more big gardens. However, I have a small garden for cucumbers, spinach and a tomato plant. I have my cabinets full and I simply keep on restocking whatever I use every week. There is no need for us to fear. Our Lord has overcome the world.
Terra--thanks so much for your kind words! And thank-you, also, for the reminder of D.R. Stevenson. I've had her on my list of books to try at Open Library, but I'd forgotten lately about this new to me author, so thanks again!
Betsy--your garden sounds sweet! I'll have to check your blog to see if you have photos of it. My backyard garden has gone kinda wild with my strawberry plants, catnip, blueberries, daylilies, raspberries, etc., but it's nice to see everything so green anyway. :)
Terri--sounds like we've been around for the same time and seen the same things! It's great to have that experience and to have gained extra wisdom on staying prepared, right?
Pam--thanks so much! I'd love to see your little garden, as well. Sounds like you and I stock up in a similar way and believe in the bigness of God, also!
Thanks so much, Everyone! Blessings, Debra
I love your musings here.... I think we would be very good friends. I am 73 and having to accept that I am, actually, getting old. I've been gardening, canning, and storing food since 1976. Well, actually, 1972, but I started gardening in '76. We do still garden, but it is getting harder than it used to be. :)
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"...Hmmm.
Well, ol' Debra lives a different way."
This was very restful to read. Thanks.
loves2spin--hello! So nice to meet you and yes, I'm sure we'd be good friends. I thought I'd been gardening a long time but you have me beat! :) Thanks for letting me know you're reading here!
Sandi--thank-you for telling me you found this post restful. That means a lot!
Thanks so much, Ladies! Blessings, Debra
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