“There is no time to wait ... only time to prepare.”
I read this anonymous quote and think it applies perfectly to thoughts of a hope chest. Scriptures consistently teach us lessons concerning preparation. Joseph’s provision for Egypt literally saved the house of Israel. The book of Proverbs has many references to the time of preparation. Consider Proverbs 6:9-11. “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest” And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches us to “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest.”
Sometimes we neglect to prepare simply because we don’t recognize the necessity. In years of plenty, it may be hard to imagine a time of need. Those who lack nothing in their growing years can hardly see or understand what poverty may feel like. It is easy to imagine that good things will just continue to come, not fully realizing who will have to provide them. And what things are really necessary, after all? I think it is important for our children to think about these things, and to take a little time to prepare for and provide for their future.
Time is an interesting perception. As adults, we never seem to have enough. So many people tell me, “I don’t have time to sew.” (Or embroider, or cross-stitch, or even cook!) I recognize that people are busy. I understand that our lives are demanding. But that is just the point I’m pondering lately. There is always a natural time given for preparation. God has seen to this in creation. It seems to me that we need to identify that period of time and use it wisely to furnish for the time when that preparation will be needful. It is a certain fact that when the time of need has come, the time for preparation will have passed.
A young wife may learn, when the first Christmas arrives right on schedule, that there is no time to make the linens for the special holiday table she so wants to set. Because the budget is tight, she will have to settle for whatever she can find at the dollar store. A young mother will certainly discover that her child’s first birthday will quickly come, with no time to stitch that hand-made birthday banner she thought would make the occasion so special. “Well, I’ll make it for next year,” she will declare, and perhaps she will find the time.
If home and family joys are important to you, “There is no time to wait ...only time to prepare.” A hope chest is certainly one way to deliberately consider the future and to take the time to provide for it.
Shared on Prairie Flower Farm Wednesday Link-up: Building Our Homes Together With Jesus
Shared on Prairie Flower Farm Wednesday Link-up: Building Our Homes Together With Jesus
Great post. I hear a couple of years ago "we all have the same amount of time given to us in a day. Its how we use that time that determines where our priorities lie" Everyone can find the time to watch their favorite tv show or go to a football game or attend a concert, but they don't have time to do things of lasting consequence. I think people are so programmed to be busy and going all the time, they can't slow down to sit and do something with their hands. We are being much more deliberate on my oldest daughters hope chest now ~ she is in a courtship which could result in an engagement any day now! Exciting times!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, and so true. One thing I have done, as a Grammy, is to make some of these things for my grown children and their families. I have made happy birthday banners, "you are special" place mats, handmade and embroidered pillowcases and more. I know how terribly busy young moms can be (and my girls are stay-at-home moms) so I am choosing to use my own time to make some of these special items for them. They are always delighted, and I love the thought that they will have something handmade to remember me by.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I am so hopeful for your daughter. These truly are exciting times, when events for which plans and dreams are made have come. I'll certainly be thinking about you all!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing you are to your family, Mrs. T. Anything handmade by Grandma is surely a special thing! We could all learn a lesson from your example.
What an excellent article, and how true. We spend time doing something--why not do the thing that should be done? I'm so bad about filling my day with activity that I don't do some of the things that will really matter in the long run. Thanks for the post. I needed to hear that!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post & oh. so true!! God Bless you!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I had a comment and then it was gone........sad!
ReplyDeleteThank you so for this thought provoking post. Wonderful words to encourage all of us!
It was so nice to see that you had signed up to Building Our Homes Together.
So nice to see all the other girls here!!!!!!!!!!s It's like a party...and you know me and parties!
Hugs, Linda
I am looking forward to having a hope chest for my daughter. Right now, she is still very young. In a way, I guess we are already preparing for it by teaching her how to do some of the things I do. She is actually going to her very first outside sewing class this week and she's so excited. Perhaps we'll be making things together for her hope chest one day!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog. I read the posts Hope Chest Philosophy and A Hidden Hope Chest in addition to this one. My daughter is away at school and we have not begun a hope chest. However, she has learned many homemaking skills while working alongside me through the years we homeschooled. I thjnk I will begin her a chest (or drawer, for now), and work to add somethings while she is busy learning to design airplanes in college. PS I am sure that her very serious boyfriend will appreciate my efforts also.
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