Eighty-years-old -- 

She's Not On Food Stamps. 

Why?

"1 Out of 7 Americans Now On Food Stamps

Written on APRIL 21, 2012 

The cost of food stamps has increased in recent years as more people join the program, which will continue to expand through at least 2014, according to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report released Thursday.

From 2007-2011 spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (the SNAP program, informally known as the food stamp program) increased 135 percent to reach a cost of $78 billion last year alone, the report reveals.

In the four year period CBO highlighted, the number of Americans on food stamps increased by 70 percent - "Nearly 45 million recipients, one out of every seven U.S. residents, received SNAP benefits in an average month in fiscal year 2011," CBO explained.

CBO blamed three factors for the program's expansion. They attribute 65 percent of the growth to a weak economy, 20 percent to temporarily higher benefit amounts resulting from Obama's 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and 15 percent on other factors such as food prices."

Hello, Lindsay House here.

The statistics above are dry and lifeless, like pieces of straw. Suppose we give them a little humanity . . . .

For instance --  a few years back, there was a woman who'd been widowed twice. She had seven children, 15 grandchildren, and a bunch of great-grandchildren. Though she loved them dearly, she could not do the things that grandmothers love to do. Why? She could barely feed herself and keep her car and insurance. Then, when the small company (in which she was a partner) was stolen by its officers, she could no longer make her share of the monthly mortgage payment on the home she shared with a son, his wife and their children.

Turning over her share of the property, she took a few possessions - whatever her car could hold - and moved back to Northern Virginia. During the next few years the lady lived by faith, having only social security benefits of under $900 per month. She changed residences frequently, and was in a homeless shelter for two six-week stints. For several years she lived in a trailer (helped by her church).           

When she could no longer make loan payments on her car or pay for its insurance, she awoke one morning to find her car had disappeared - repossessed.

This was not the first time that circumstances qualified her for food stamps.         Each time she had considered it, and after prayer for guidance, she chose not to apply.  Occasionally she visited the food pantry at her church. Her needs were simple, and God's faithfulness continued to meet those needs. From time to time, caring friends intervened in emergencies. Actually, these friends were avenues for Father God's faithful love.

Among the lessons she learned during those years were:

1. She was not dependent on physical circumstances

2. She was not dependent on people

3. She was not dependent on regular income

Therefore her decisions should not be based upon the "ways of the world".

She was literally living God's Word in Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB).

"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 

And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 

And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 

yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 

Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'

For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

To sum up, the lady didn't have to concern herself about a "bottom line".

She had a caring and ever-present Father who was looking out for her.

Her Father was the "Boss" of a very large enterprise. He had assigned security and provision resources for her. (Her security detail had wings!) He proved His love and faithfulness on a daily basis. 

Although people, including human family members, might be unfaithful, Father was always available. In the process, the lady learned the wisdom of forgiveness. He always had time to listen to her. He always responded, although it was on His timetable, not hers. While she waited out the time, her heart and mind were peaceful, and she was blessed with creative, productive work.

     Considering these realities --      

   The lady will not burden the public treasury by    

   asking for help with her food bill.    

She is a student of natural health research, and she knows how to eat, exercise, sleep and drink water to maintain her health. Because she is aware of the true basis of much modern medical training and practice, she seldom consults anyone with an M.D. after their name.

The lady has celebrated her birthday #80 -- and she invites the readers of this website  to celebrate with us. You can do so by re-evaluating your own relationships and lifestyle in light of the Matthew 6:25-34 passage above.

Because Father has invited you into His Kingdom family, 

you can daily and thankfully say:

"Our Father who is in heaven, holy is Your name. 

Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever!  Amen!"

part 2

Well, How 'Bout That!

The sky was heavily overcast most of the day. She had waited, and waited, weighing her options. A few items were still calling to her from the store three blocks away.

She couldn't buzz over there in a car, because that had been repossessed several years back. Her usual shopping trip included a big, roomy backpack to fill with her purchases. Two plastic bags for lighter items, one on each side for balance, and the three-block hike back home was doable.

So, just before 6 pm she headed out to the store. For the return trip, it looked like she could make it without getting drenched, so she chanced it. As she went, the feelings of 'tired' and 'wired' kept her body focused toward her apartment door. 

Inside, she put away her keys, got purchases to the kitchen, took off her shoes and went to put her jacket into the closet. "Oh no!  Where's the packet of cards and cash!" 

They should have been in the right jacket pocket. Her fingers probed that pocket, then the other. No - not there! For the next hour, she returned to the closet again and again. She searched through the backpack, and everywhere else she could think of. Still no card and money packet.

The closet was dark. Finally, she turned on the light -- then she saw it  --             a second jacket hung underneath the one she had worn. The right pocket that her fingers had searched in vain, had been in the second jacket!

What a good laugh we had about that!

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, 

"I am the Light of the world; 

he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, 

but will have the Light of life."

"You are the light of the world. 

A city set on a hill cannot be hidden"

Your word is a lamp to my feet 

And a light to my path.

John 8:12

Matthew 5:14

Psalm 119:105