Summertime and ants. They’re synonymous, arent’ they? I heard someone say recently, “I can’t rid of these pests! They keep coming into my kitchen!”
The Lord talk about ants, but it’s really not in a negative way. Here’s what He has to say about them:
There be four things which are little upon the earth,
but they are exceeding wise:
but they are exceeding wise:
The ants are a people not strong,
yet they prepare their meat in the summer.
yet they prepare their meat in the summer.
Proverbs 30: 24, 25
God says that ants are little, but they are wise. How do they show their wisdom? They prepare their meat in the summer. In other words, they’re getting ready for winter all summer long. When they show up at your picnic, your kitchen counter, your dropped cookie crumb, they are scurrying to put it away for wintertime!
One way, then, for us to show wisdom is to be like the ant and prepare ahead of time. God honors preparedness in this passage and it’s not just to honor the mighty ant! He shares this tidbit of information so we can learn from it.
How can we prepare ahead? Here are a few suggestions and the benefits of doing them that I thought of for my own life:
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Prepare now for eternity! Today is the day of salvation. Joy and peace are ours when we’re secure of a home in heaven.
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Plan and prioritize my day listing the things that need to be done. Nothing will be forgotten if it’s written down!
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Prepare desserts, frozen salads, breads and main dishes and put them in the freezer. They’ll be ready for guests I may have, or to share with someone who needs a meal.
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Look ahead for birthdays and anniversary cards. This will mean no more late greetings!
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Buy ahead for Christmas. My budget will be lower when I buy things on sale throughout the year.
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Prepare ahead for Sunday school. A calmer weekend and a happy Sunday school class will result!
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Plan ahead for ladies’ ministry events. More people can be involved in helping and attending if they know what’s coming up.
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Using the summer fruits and vegetables God provides for me, can or freeze for the winter months. This will give us summer fruits and veggies even in the wintertime!
These are just a few simple suggestions to help us be like the ant. I don’t want to be known simply as “little”, but also “exceeding wise!” How about you?
Can you think of other ways to prepare ahead? We’d all love to hear your good suggestions!
See you in church Sunday!
With love,
RefreshHer 