Monthly Archives: September 2021

HOPE

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There are people in nearly every circumstance who are the servants. They might not immediately stand out, but eventually we notice who they are by their dependable help. Are they born that way or do they cultivate that character? Or, perhaps, a little of both and more. In times of trial and trouble, they are the ones who keep going. They don’t throw up their hands in futility, rather they put one foot in front of the other every minute of every hour of every day.

What makes a person like that? Besides sterling character, one of my favorite authors would say it is hope. Victor Frankl said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Being a Holocaust survivor he should know. He also cautioned:

“Those who know how close the connection is between the state of mind of a man, his courage and hope, or lack of them and the state of immunity of his body will understand that sudden loss of hope and courage can have a deadly effect.“

We, none of us, can know the future. When things are bright and pleasant, we imagine the same is ahead. Likewise, when we are in the middle of tough times, it can be easy to imagine only darkness in the coming days and years. And that’s where the importance of hope arises. It gives us just enough glimmer of light ahead to keep going; to keep putting one foot in front of the other. That glimmer can even help us recall better past days so that we can imagine brighter future ones.

Some people scoff at optimists. I’ve always wondered why someone would do that. But hope isn’t optimism. Maybe it’s just the knowledge that none of us knows the future, and that knowledge removes the certainty of dark days as surely as it nudges us to understand the road is never always straight, but, rather, turns here and there and even loops around. We keep on because one of those bends in the road might erupt into light and beauty. It didn’t happen at this turn? Maybe it will at the next.

There are a lot of choices in life. Among your selections, might I offer one? Choose hope.

Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946, by Viktor Frankl; Romans 5:1-5 (Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.); Image: pexels-gift-habeshaw-3415211

Survivor

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Back when the television show, Survivor, had its first season, our family was immediately hooked. The finale landed at a time we were on vacation in a little cabin. No problem. Despite limited reach, the tv got the channel we needed. Except it didn’t. That particular week, it didn’t get any channel. What to do? We could drive to the nearest town and watch it through the window of an unsuspecting Ace Hardware, but what if they didn’t have a tv in the window? Or if it was turned to a different channel?

My long-suffering husband used the better part of a day to drive back to our house and bring our little television to the rescue. We plugged it in and turned it on. Except it didn’t. No!!!

We were desperate. My husband now drove not a little distance to the closest town that could accommodate us with a very small portable television that ran on batteries. We were ready! The night of the finale we gathered around that little tv in great anticipation and watched as our least favorite contender won the whole thing. Nooooo!!!! And that, dear ones, has gone down in family lore as the time when. . . We try to comfort my husband by telling him at least he survived. Just between you and me, I’m not altogether sure he’s comforted or even ever got over it. Ah, life.

These days – ohhh, what should we call them? These unusual days? These anxiety-laden days? These help me I’m in a sci-fi horror show and I want out days? Whatever it is that you choose to call them, it would be prudent to think ahead just a bit and plan for just in case. You know. Like your mother used to tell you. Just in case you’re in a car accident. Just in case you’re at a party and you need a ride home. Just in case you get lost. (Although with GPS these days, I guess no one gets truly lost – at least to the overlords that know our every move.) Just in case you want to survive. Maybe it won’t happen. But just in case . . .

With the an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure attitude, here are some ideas for just in case prices go through the roof, food and gas are scarce, and you find yourself longing for the good ol’ days of 2020. This is not a definitive list nor is it even a very good list. It’s what I’ve read and am sharing with you. Please, dear survivorino (may I call you that?) do your own research.

Some sites recommend long-term food storage include: grains, canned foods of all types (veg, meat, milk soup), oils, beans, and (hallelujah!) sugar. Try to eat food that is no more than a year old. Store it in a cool, dry place. Don’t use food in swollen or corroded cans.

Get a lot of water. If you live near a water source and can get some way to purify it, you’re good to go. Otherwise, buy a lot. They say a gallon per person per day is good. That seems like a lot to me, but what do I know.

Get a generator if you can. Store gas. How much do you need for your vehicle to go to a safe place. Okay, I know. “Safe” is relative. Maybe you want to buy 5, 10, or even 15 five gallon gas cans. And fill them with gas.

Kerosene lanterns were good enough for the old days. They’ll be good enough for us. Additionally, stock up on batteries for your flashlights or whatever you use batteries in. No, not fortnight. What is wrong with you?

Get a book on what weeds and plants are useful for health issues. Plant a garden if possible.

As much as I love the color blue, it might be prudent to get away from cities or states of that particular persuasion. There is a globalist system we’ve grown to accept. You can disagree with that statement. That’s fine. But I’m stickin’ to my guns here. Time to unhook.

As I was reading about this, I read some comments as well. One delightful person said, “Well I guess I die”. I love dark humor, don’t you?

Finally, keep your Bible. And might I suggest – read it. Talk to Jesus. If you don’t know Him, introduce yourself and you’ll find some reassuring convo you never dreamed you would have. After all, whether we survive or not, God wins. God always wins.

ezprepping.com; eatwild.com; https://youtu.be/0_UnZdkLgHg image:pexels-emre-kuzu-4820763; nathan-dumlao-ajAj3-55G2A-unsplash