Hone Those Talents

I went to town today and did a bit of stocking up.  I want to be prepared to help.  This is going to sound a bit selfish perhaps, but when others need help, I'd just as soon be able to hand them a can of tomatoes rather than a canning jar of tomatoes.  Of course, I'll help if I can but I don't want to lose track of my jars.  In this same trip, I discovered some very sad news, that seems to be marking an end to an era.   It's weighed so heavily on my mind, I've had to double check blogs and articles to make sure the issue has not already been published, but I think I've just been talking about it to anyone and everyone.

 In one of the many recent trips to town, I went by the Locker Plant I've patronized in the past.  Last year, they told their customers they were reducing their operation hours to deer season only, but they would still process beef through that season.  Since deer season is quickly approaching, I thought I might find someone at the place getting ready.  Rather than finding anyone there, or a note on the door as to the opening day, the place was obviously beyond abandoned.  The pens were all torn down, the refrigeration compressors were gone.  Believe it or not, I really tried to justify those two looming facts by considering, the compressors sitting out in plain view when the business is closed 8 months would just be an invitation for theft and vandalism.  As for the pens, since the focus now was primarily processing wild game, pens would really not be needed for dead animals.  The mail box atop the pile of neatly stacked deconstructed pen sides jolted me out of my idealistic denial.  There was only one more thing to check . . .

My little moment of denial came to a crashing halt and my fear confirmed, when I checked the meter box.  The meter had been pulled.  So, the next obvious thought of choice was, the elder generation had lived out his days and the descendants realized there really was no future career in a Locker Plant.  That may be what did happen, I don't know.  I know it was a family business that began right after WWII, just like the orchard up the highway that shuttered last year.  I truly do hope and pray that the senior generation simply lived out their days with the kids and grandkids juggling their "real career" and helping grandpa.  If that's the case, there's only one tragic detail to this story . . . Most in our society, even though they consume meat, do not raise their own meat, much less know how to process it.

In two years now, I've seen business shutter that were keeping alive the way of life that has sustained humanity throughout history.  It's time to dust off those talents and learn how to produce and process our own food, while we still can, or hone some talents that will produce good products for fair barter.    

Helping or Enabling?

Before becoming a believer I was a world class enabler.  That poor trait didn't just fall away over night, either, but as I grew in my walk with Messiah, I began to discern the signs.  In all fairness to folks who rely on enablers, the enablers are definitely responsible for their role in the problem.  For the most part, folks who need enablers are addicts of some sort, but our society now has so many addictions beyond alcohol and drugs, it truly does take discernment to see the spirit of addiction or control in the situation.  In using the term "spirit" I'm not implying that all addicts are victims of demons, although there often is demonic activity involved in addiction.  Many addictions are psychological.  While drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are not only psychological, but physical addictions as well.  Are you wondering how addiction is the topic in kingdom economy?  As a delivered enabler, please let me share.

I believe enabling is a psychological addiction that is all too often excused, encouraged, and even respected when camouflaged.  Enabling is costly.  It can be costly financially, physically, emotionally, and definitely spiritually.  Enabling is really a form of idolatry.  It literally robs one of time, energy, and gives a very false sense of importance.  An enabler "needs" an addict in their life.  This addict can be addicted to anything from alcohol to shopping to sex.  An enabler is so focused on their own need to be needed, the specific addiction is irrelevant.  The addiction must require the enabler to be involved in some capacity of caretaking or counseling.  The enabler literally gives their time and makes the addict a top priority, robbing time and energy from true responsibilities and what could be genuine accomplishments.  Often enablers will actually contribute financially to "replace" or provide what is omitted or neglected by the addict's behavior and expenses.

The story of the Good Samaritan is a good example of helping without enabling.  First, the victim of thieves was a genuine victim of a specific event.  It was not his lifestyle that had caused his problem.  Second, the Good Samaritan did not set aside his own goal in offering assistance.  The Good Samaritan also obtained qualified help for the time of recovery, the inn keeper.  The passage states that even in all that, he still had business to transact and would check back on his return trip.  His offering help was just that, not his new project!

Messiah gave a perfect example with the man by the pool who attempted to offer excuses about having no help.  Messiah simply asked him, "Do you want to be made whole?"  When Peter met the crippled beggar on his way to the Temple, he clearly stated, he didn't have any money to give him, but in the Name of Y'hshuwah he could rise up and walk.  So often now, an addiction is treated like an illness, and enabling is another's self appointed position of caretaking.  Our society has carefully structured many agencies around addiction and enabling, which have no place in the kingdom.  The time spent on addictive behaviors, including enabling is hay and stubble in the economy of kingdom.


  

Tis the Season

In this part of the country, the weather is getting just cool enough to get jackets out of the back of the closet. This is also that time of year in which the need for charity seems to increase.  I'm not a proponent of the celebrating that which is not in Scripture, but there are ways to help others outside of the traditional charities.  One of the ways I enjoy discovering every autumn, is to share the money I find in my coat pockets.  I'm careful how I go about this sharing, though.

I do not want to cause anyone to stumble, so I am careful not to supply funds for addictions.  Many may disagree, but I feel a certain responsibility in helping people and the perfect place I've found to do that is in the checkout lines.  It's a simple but easy way to help someone.  This isn't to be confined to last winter's change, but the concept works with all sorts of change.

For those on a tight budget, and basically that covers most of us, it's not always easy to come up with a sizeable donation.  If we face facts, though; most of us can afford to do a bit of nickel and diming.  If you are one of those organized individuals who checks your pockets before stashing your coat for the summer, then there is another idea for sharing.  This is really easy and doesn't require calling attention to yourself or lurking . . .

It seems in most grocery stores, there is always a young mother with a couple of kids in tow, and there is always an elderly person.  To guarantee helping the elderly, just see which day the store offers a senior discount and go that day.  Most cashiers will work with you on this and in smaller towns, the cashiers pretty well know the customers.  When you check out, leave the change with the cashier and tell them it's for the next person that comes up short, or the next mom of three, or the next elderly lady, or my personal favorite; the person next in line.  That can have a ripple effect.  If the person behind me didn't need the help, they'll pass it on with their change, and if they did need it, no dignity is lost.  It's a small, very small way to touch a heart and bring a smile.

Many stores have a donation basket by the door.  See what's on sale in the canned goods aisle and buy the bargain to donate.  In this time of so many in need and so many in search of a way to give . . . Everybody needs groceries!