preparing for the winter.

This weekend I spent most of my time making things to freeze for the Winter months. Now, these days we don’t really have to do that because we have grocery stores where we can get what foods we want, when. But back in the day, they had to prepare their Summer and Fall crops so they could eat during the winter. The reason I did it was because I didn’t want to waste the produce that grew in my Mom’s garden. Even animals prepare their food for the Winter. But honestly, I feel like it’s a lost art. We’ve become lazy people, or better yet, we’ve become a people of convenience.

“…but they are exceedingly wise, the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer” (Proverbs 30:24b-25 ESV)

” Go to the ant, O sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief,
officer, or ruler,
she prepares her bread in summer
and gathers her food in harvest.
How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
When will you arise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.”
(Proverbs 6:6-11 ESV)

I think I need to examine myself. Though I think I prepare; I plan my meals in advance, I made food for winter, I make lunches the night before, etc., in what other ways am I being a sluggard? Planning and preparing is more than just preparing food. It’s a matter of the heart. In order to prepare and plan for anything, you have to be focused, you need to be diligent, you need to disciplined. I sure as heck know there are many areas in my life that I need more focus, diligence and discipline. My relationship with my God needs it. My relationship with my Husband needs it. My relationship with my daughter needs it. My purpose needs it.

So much of life’s mysteries I find are answered by food. Simple principles, really. It’s not even a matter of being “obsessed” with food. Food really does nourishes the soul. By revealing these simple principles (i.e. preparing for the winter), we become better individuals. More like who God wants us to be.