Since Friday I have been pondering this post. Growing up in Western PA I have encountered many Amish and Menonites (more Menonites than Amish though we see plenty when we travel an hour north.) I also have a little bit of experience with living without since growing up most of our food was homegrown and canned (and my dad used to hunt squirrel and rabbit for dinner–though I have no memory of eating it.) My mom made almost all of my clothes, except for those that were hand-me-down and we went without electricity at least once a week year round to save money–though that was nothing to Rachel’s story. Nothing, absolutely NOTHING! So, it has been in the back of my mind for the last few days, how blessed we are and wondering how my family would survive such a lifestyle (my husband couldn’t, he just isn’t wired tht way.:)).
Last night I went to bed early because I had spent the day working and was exhausted and feeling a bit sick. I woke at 5am to total, total darkness and silence. Our electric was out. I joined Shamus in the office where he sat and stared, unable to do anything without his computer. We had no heat, no light, and it was pitch black out and below 32 degrees. Finally we went back to bed to keep warm at 6am and suddenly our oldest was awake. She proceeded to wake the others while stumbling around in the dark. Once all were thoroughly wakened I got up, sent them to put on whatever warm clothes they could find, and helped them clean up their tents in the living room so we could have a fire in the fireplace. I then headed to the kitchen so I could make them hot cereal in the light of my lcd lantern 9praise the Lord we have a gas stove). They spent the next couple hours reading books while Issac bugged everyone to play a board game with him. Eventually Shamus gave up and said we were going out. We have been having church at home (which is a different story all together
) and had planned on attending a new church this week but the ice hanging from every branch ruled the half hour drive out. Instead we waited a bit and went to a local place for breakfast where it was well lit and warm, had church there, and then wandered around some stores for a while until we went home to our electric back on.
What a reminder of how blessed we are.
It was an eye opener for the kids since they had to occupy themselves with electricity free entertainment and spent a lot of time trying to find the things they forgot to put away–like their shoes and clean clothes. We were a rag tag bunch because we couldn’t take a shower and the kids couldn’t see their clothes to decide whether they were clean or not–Esther and Issac were wearing very stained clothes. It was a reminder to meof how much more blessed we are even than I was growing up. My kids may wear all thrifted clothes but thy are warm and fed and don’t have to go without electricity unless we have an ice storm.
Church was especially blessed as we discussed Jesus’ life over a warm meal and praised God for all those things that we take for granted each day, especially the things that others go without daily. How great is our God and how greatly He has blessed us.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:12-14
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