Last Saturday evening after the ice storm I had a whole new appreciation for the parable of the ten virgins and had developed genuine empathy for the five foolish virgins. See Matthew 25. When the power went off Thursday evening I was sure we had ample lamp oil. Generously we lit six kerosene lamps with wicks all trimmed. It was a nice light. Forty-eight hours later we were down to one lamp. Like the five foolish we went off to purchase more oil. We were way too late. Home Depot, Agway, Lowes, Sears and Wal-Mart all gave us the same, “We’re sorry. We were sold out by Friday noon.” We were worse off than the five foolish. At least, according to the parable, they found oil to buy. The story was the same for six volt batteries. You know – those big square ones.
The stories Jesus told have timeless value and repeat themselves over throughout the centuries no matter how modern we think we are. I could at this moment break into the story of the grasshopper and the ants but I can’t seem to find that in the Gospels. However the lesson is the same. Use your resources wisely, prepare when you can, don’t take things for granted, think ahead and don’t be caught off guard.
I am grateful for great neighbors who offered to share their resources. A neighbor across the street with a generator offered to let us take showers. Other neighbors stopped by just to check on “the old people down the street.” Hey that was us! How interesting that emergencies bring out both the worse and the best in people. My blessing was that I saw more of the best than the other.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 16, 2008
rogerbothwell.org