Are you prepared?
We have an abundance of acorns this year. Besides covering the ground and being a slippery danger to unsuspecting walkers, acorn missiles have been pelting my metal roof for weeks. Old timers say a bumper crop of acorns signals a hard winter and ask, “Are you prepared?”
These tough seeds of oak trees serve as forage for animals. Deer gobble them as they fall. Squirrels stow acorns away for a later meal. Both strategies are important–being ready for today and prepared for the future.
Are you prepared?
It’s not always easy to be prepared. But we have help! Scripture not only reminds us of the importance of being prepared–God’s Word tells us how.
Resist temptation
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Resist attacks from the enemy
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you many be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)
Be ready for the return of our Lord
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you must also be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:42-44)
Stand firm in our faith
Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair on your head will perish. Stand firm and you will win life. (Luke 21:19)
The acorn falls from the tree in its time. It may provide life-giving nourishment for animals or spring forth in new life as a tree. God created this marvelous cycle of life in nature.
Life on earth, for humans, is not forever, although through children, we are gifted with the precious blessing of being part of future generations. But no matter if we are parents, or not, we contribute to future generations by providing nourishment–living water and the bread of life–sharing the message of Jesus with others.
But through Jesus, we have the gift of eternal life.
Are we sharing the Light and Love of Jesus with others? Do we prepare our children for their future? Are we sharing knowledge they need to receive the gift of life? As believers, that is our purpose.
The signs are evident that the return of Christ is close. We don’t know when He will catch us in the air with Him, but we do need to live our lives ready any moment. As we know this day approaches we also have others in our hearts praying they are ready also. Thank you for sharing this admonition to watch for those signs of the times. Blessings, Katherine!
You are right, Barbara, we need to be ready at any moment because no one knows the moment of His return except our Father. Thank you for reminding us to pray for the lost and to ask God to lead us in spreading the message of salvation. Wishing you joy and blessings, my friend.
Great points Ms. Katherine. And your analogy is “right on.” We are facing a “tough winter” I think, in many ways my friend. In addition to understanding what we need to prepare for, your post gives excellent counsel on how we need to prepare for it. I would add that among my prayers is asking for both discernment and courage to know where and how to stand and endure the coming storm my friend. Sometimes I struggle with knowing where the carnal warrior and the spiritual warrior start and stop. God’s blessings. Are you getting excited yet?
Last question first–YES! I am excited and terrified, too. Thank you for your prayers. Now to your other comments–like you my wise friend, I worry “where the carnal warrior and the spiritual warrior start and stop.” I pray that our Father will use us and guide us in the role He would have us to take in fighting the enemy, spreading love to others, and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world. Praying for you and your sweet bride.
Standing firm in our faith is the truest test of our lives. May we be found faithful. Thanks, Katherine. God bless!
I join you in that prayer, Nancy. May God continue to bless you and your ministry.
A huge oak tree is dropping acorns on our driveway as I write this. I love the tree, but my husband hates dealing with the mess they leave on the drive after I back over them with my tires.
I like your analogy and I am preparing. Thanks for this lovely post.
I love oak trees. They are so big and strong and grant us shade in the hot season of summer. I can understand your husband’s frustration with dealing with those crushed acorns, but maybe the shade makes up for the mess? I hope so. Thank you for joining in the conversation and for your encouragement.
Oh yes, may we stand firm as “winter” approaches. Life may become difficult for a season, but our Dayspring is coming! May we be totally prepared in strong faith.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful prayer, Nancy. I join you in prayer for God’s protection and thanksgiving for our Savior’s love. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Wishing you a blessed week.
Katherine, I can’t think of a better thought to have as I walk across the acorns tomorrow morning than “Are you prepared?” As a parent and Sunday school teacher of little tykes I really appreciated your words, “we contribute to future generations by providing nourishment–living water and the bread of life–sharing the message of Jesus with others.”
Thank you for teaching our little ones. You are truly sowing the seeds of faith and love for the future. I pray God continues to bless you in that role. Wishing you a week filled with peace, joy, and blessings.
I love this introduction, Katherine. Thank you.
Thank you for your encouragement, Diana. Wishing you a day filled with sunshine and joy.
I love learning stuff like this about acorns. Where My horse lives is an older woman who has taught me so much. God is so wonderful in that He gives us everything we need to be prepared and great friends to help along the way.
I’m so gad you’re blessed with a mentor at the same place your horse is boarded. You are doubly blessed each time you go there to ride or visit. I agree, friends are a blessing and God provides loving friends just when we need them. When our friends know just when and what we need, I think God has sent them as His angels.
We must be prepared at all times. Sharing God’s Word in all our words and actions is the opportunity to bring others to Christ. Great message. 🙂
Aren’t we blessed that God’s Word gives us just the message we need? And he’ll bless our interactions with others, too, as we seek His guidance for sharing the Gospel message. Wishing you a wonderful week, Melissa.
My husband just commented on the amount of acorns this year. I love that thought of preparedness. I’m grateful Jesus prepared a place for us. Thank you for the reminders from His Word!
I’m grateful, too, Sylvia. We are blessed that God’s plan for us includes a place with Him forever if we accept the gift of salvation offered by our Savior. Cold weather is not my favorite thing, so I’m really hoping the overabundance of acorns this year is not signaling a long, cold winter. Thank you for your encouragement.
We used to live surrounded by huge oak trees, and some years we did have more acorns than usual, but they were always a lot of work to clean up. I remember one winter day when I watched a squirrel pop up through the snow as he searched for his cache of acorns. Then he’d dive under again and pop up somewhere else. Being prepared for winter is a good analogy for our own preparations for Christ’s return!
I love to watch God’s creatures at work. That squirrel was certainly being diligent, but I wonder where he had hidden his stash? Whether it’s removing acorns, fallen leaves, or dead-heading the flowers, Fall seems to be the time for “clean-up” to get ready for the promised rest of winter. Hmm…that sounds like a blog message hidden in there somewhere. Happy Fall, Kathy!
Just the other day I was watching several busy squirrels scampering around my yard hiding their treasures for winter. If God gave a squirrel enough sense to prepare, certainly I should use what He gave me. You’ve pointed out His instruction in the Word, and we would be wise to prepare also. Thank you, Katherine.
Sometimes, Annie, I think God’s creatures are a lot wiser than I am. We could learn a lot of lessons from nature if we observe carefully. Aren’t we blessed to have God’s Word to guide our preparation for Christ’s return? Wishing you a joyful Fall!
After such a warm summer, I’m looking forward to a nice, cold winter.
But, I am also trying to keep my heart and soul prepared for my Savior, return. Thanks for the message.
We had a hot, dry summer, too, Yvonne, but while I am grateful for cooler Fall temperatures, I am not looking forward to the cold of winter (although I do love snow!) Wishing you all the joys Fall can bring. I enjoyed seeing your pictures from your trip.
Being spiritually prepared is the most important. Thanks, Katherine.
Absolutely! Thank you for stopping by, Debbie. Wishing you a blessed week.