I have always understood this verse to be saying that our Proverbs 31 woman is prepared. In recent history (the last 50-75 years), most of us have little cause to worry of the snow. Our heated homes make it possible to just flip a switch and stores make it possible to simply go out and buy a warm clothes and a new winter coat for our children. I don't think our Proverbs 31 woman stopped at that though. Can you imagine a modern P31 lady having winter coats for the kiddos, yet forgetting that sun screen is necessary in the hotter months? I don't think so. Or perhaps you could word it another way... "she did not dread the start of the school year, for all her household had their school supplies."

Ok, I realize I may be putting words in King Lemuel's mom's mouth here, but it's the principle I'm getting at. The principle of preparedness! And what better time to talk about it than now, as a new version of "snow" is ahead.

That's right... no one can tell you what's going to happen these days. Of course we never know what to expect from tomorrow. Just think, we could all be raptured up before it even arrives (those of us redeemed by the blood of the Lamb that is). But then again, perhaps we will remain on earth much longer than expected. In the mean time... who knows what will happen. With the economy the way it is, things are even more uncertain. Will things level out? Will the House vote in the $700bn "rescue" bill? If they do, will it help? Or is it too late? And are we really doomed if it doesn't pass? Or is it already too late? So many questions, and no answers. What is going to happen tomorrow? And how long will it take before it affects my family? Will my husband loose his job? Will we have to move? Or will things simply get more expensive?

There is no way to know, but my family has decided that it is better to be prepared... and in some ways, to be prepared for the worst. With the "worst" in mind, we have begun making plans for what we can imagine.

::Knowing food prices are likely to increase even more, My Beloved has made arrangements and purchases for this years hunting season. Just today he is making sure the scopes on his hunting riffles are right... making it easier for him to get the meat we will need next year. Sure, the sport of it may be lacking... but when it's for the food, we aren't so concerned with that.

::Knowing that our oil heat is going to be through the roof, we've purchased long johns for everyone to wear under clothes. That makes it possible for us to keep the heater set lower... or helps that much more if oil becomes harder to come by. (Tip: We found "long john" pajamas for the kids at Walmart.) We've even been able to find some on clearance to save money.

::I'm finally going to do something with all those old jeans I've been saving forever. I'm going to make a super warm quilt from them... again, protecting us from the cold. (Now if only I'd done it before... then I could really say I was prepared.)

::We are slowly trying to "stock up" on canned goods and other staples that will keep. By doing this little at a time, we are able to stay within our normal food budget each week.


This is only a handful of things we've started working on. Hopefully, we won't need them, but I find that I am "not afraid of the snow" to come because we are prepared/preparing for whatever may come.

Are you preparing for the "snow" for your households? What are you doing?