Do you have what you need?

Wednesday afternoon I managed to cut the index finger on my left hand. This wasn't a small cut. A better description would be a slice. A very clean slice by the sharpest pair of scissors I own. It was one of those cuts that you don't really feel until about 2 seconds after you've been cut.

I did what anyone would do, held it tight and ran to the kitchen sink to run water over it. When I got a look at it, my knees went weak. It's a straight cut, but at an angle....and it's deep. (Don't ask how I did it, I don't want to be laughed out.)

Chloe and Emma knew right where the box of neon band-aids were and grabbed a purple one for me. I put it on and attempted to go about my day, but it seemed that everything I touched sent a wave of pain through my poor little finger.

Yesterday morning after I had worked in the yard, I knew that I needed to replace the band-aid, but guess what...

Apparently we've had a lot of "paper cuts" lately and there were no more small band-aids. Only the BIG bandages that are meant for your knees or some other large area of your body. NOT my skinny finger. But it was what I had and honestly, it was throbbing so I didn't care how many times I had to wrap that thing around! The tighter the better.

Chad popped home for a minute and asked why in the world I had that huge bandage on my little finger. He laughed and said, I'll be back.

A few minutes later he returned from the drugstore with a box of appropriate band-aids. They fit much better and to quote Chloe "they have anti-oxidants I mean antibiotics on them to kill germs".

Chad took the old bandage off and got his first look at the cut, cringed and put the new bandage on. Much better. I can actually type a little this morning. Still hurts like crazy but everyday chores are easier with something that actually fits the need on my finger!

I read yesterday in Proverbs that "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." Prov. 22:3 (NLT)

This morning, these verses from Prov. 23 stood out

Verse 12 "Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge."

Verses 19-21 "My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags."

And finally from Prov.31:21 "She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes."

Okay..so what in the world do these verses have to do with my cut finger? I'm so glad you asked.

All too often we hit a crisis. A "winter", or a time of need in our life. We call on friends to pray, we question God's hand in it all, we quote all the verses about God being in control and having a plan....you know how we are! We all do it. And quoting the Word is powerful. But.....

To be truthful, we haven't been preparing for the winter. We cost along, enjoying good times, having fun. We may or may not acknowledge God each day. But slowly over time, we little by little deplete the spiritual pantry. Before we know it, a winter storm hits and we are totally exposed.

Over the last few weeks, God has been showing me why He is big on planning ahead. By that I mean digging into His Word each day. God uses His Word to prepare our hearts, minds and souls for today's sunny sky AND tomorrow's unexpected winter storm. He is our winter coat. He is a fully stocked pantry. He is a huge wood pile ready to keep you warm.

I didn't have the proper band-aid for my finger. I hadn't given band-aids a second thought....until I needed them. If I had taken an inventory of our first-aid kit last week when I glanced at it in the pantry, I would have known what I needed.

The same principle applies in our spiritual life. The time to get to know God, or to fill our spiritual pantry, is before the winter storm hits.

God is challenging me and I challenge you to not waste a minute. Don't take for granted the spring time, and forget that seasons change!