Wednesday, April 18, 2012

some like it hot

have you ever noticed how finely we tune the temperature of everything
we touch or eat?   our homes can easily hover around 69 degrees all
year around.   if we want to take that temperature outside, we can chill
the air with water cooled fans in the summer or heat lamps in the winter.

some of us won't drink a glass of water unless it's ice cold or swim in a
pool unless it's as warm as a bath.   my husband likes his coffee and soup
to be scalding hot . . . so hot that i can not even touch the mug or bowl.

thank goodness, that's not how he likes his wife.

i worry, though, that because we have found so many ways to keep ourselves
comfortable and insulated, we will not be prepared for trials ahead.   we are
completely dependent on our electricity, available water, heat and air,
mangos from brazil or tea from china.

our grandparents were better prepared for hardship and more capable of
taking care of themselves.   in some ways, we are like children . . . or sheep.

love,
lea

"all we like sheep have gone astray . . . "  isaiah 53:6

17 comments:

His Song to Sing said...

Great observations, girl. I've wondered if I'm prepared for something really challenging to come my way. Comfortable is great place to be but we should never take it for granted.

Thanks for commenting on my post about scripture memory ... hoping you will join us!

Meg said...

I think about this a lot and wonder how we would get along without comforts if needed. We are not afraid of work and tend to make-do as it is now, but it would still be hard.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I was thinking about this very thing myself the other day. We seem to want the temperature to be just right all of the time.

I feel quite glad that I was raised in the country where things were still quite rudimentary during my childhood. At I least I know from experience there is another way.

Jen said...

Agreed. We live in a generation that definitely has it comfortable and easy. It is quite frightening to think how easily those comforts could be taken away and the fact we couldn't handle it. You are so right we are like sheep; just following along.

Jenny said...

I have just gone from the heat of Texas to the cold of Holland. It is all about the temperature for me at my age...can't take the extremes. I grew up in Texas before AC and there is no AC in Holland. But, we still have to adjust no matter where we are. :) Jenny

Debbie said...

WOW is this ever true. I think sometimes that's why todays world thinks it is their right to be happy. Have everything they desire and want, WHEN they want it....and are surprised when that doesn't happen sometimes. Even us Christians I think sometimes think our Christianity means we should escape somehow this world trials and tribulations. This was a great post!

Farm Girl said...

So true Lea. Sometimes I get mad at myself for being so soft. My grandparents could look at trials and as I think about them now, I really do wonder how they continued to reflect Jesus no matter what.
This is a good reminder.

Debbie Petras said...

Yes, we have so many luxuries we often take for granted. However, when the insulation in our lives is taken away, the response we choose says much about our character. And it's in those times of trial and challenge that our faith is tested.

Thank you for your thoughtful comment on Heart Choices yesterday.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Thistle Cove Farm said...

One thing I know for sure...challenges WILL come; not if, when, and it pays to be as prepared as possible. Read your Bible and pray every day; put on the armor of God and be ready.
BTW, sheep are just like people; at least, my sheep are like people. Some are friendly, some distant, some sweet, some wild, some come when called while others flee. God has used my sheep to teach me more about Him.

myletterstoemily said...

thank you, sandra, for the sheep
lesson. i loved it!

Tamara said...

You are correct in your blog's assessment. After all, heaven is a 'prepared place' for a prepared people, I would think.

koralee said...

This is a good thought my friend...we are getting too comfortable.

Happy Friday to you!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh you and my son would enjoy a conversation...my 16 year old has been watching how to survive....and yes, our grandparents knew better how to do that

Kathleen said...

I've often wondered if/how to prepare for a stretch of REALLY tough stuff. I've had a few stretches of them in my life, so I know that clinging to the Lord is the best possible preventative measure, as well as sustaining measure.

When I watch the news & consider the Lord's word, I can't help but think about the day that is coming when everything we know & treasure will be threatened (if it isn't already).

Preparedness begins in the heart, doesn't it?

Great reminder. Great post!

A Tale of Two Cities said...

Boy, you've got me thinking this morning as I sit here in my comfortable cool and insulated house with my running water. Our hot water in London has been on and off in spurts until we got a new boiler lately, and I"m just thinking about how out of sorts I was about that, when I should have been counting my blessings about so many gifts I have. Thanks for challenging me this morning....

Jodie | Velour said...

my dependence on such things worries me. truly, it does. i am not yet able to laugh at the days to come so instead i fret. and continue to keep myself comfortable.

Vickie said...

Truer words were never spoken. I am spoiled cuz I want to be comfortable, too. At some point, hard times will come and we have to be ready for that. I hope I can be ready!