Our summer garden is now producing, and Virginia is beginning the process of canning and freezing fruits and vegetables. When the winter comes you have all these vegetables stored. It might be cold and barren outside in January, but we are sitting at our kitchen table eating like it is July and August. It makes me think how blessed is the person who has stored up emotional and spiritual sustenance for winter days. You know winter is going to come. All of us face troubles, illnesses and hard times, and all of us will finally have to stare death in the face. I hope that you will have some reserves to draw on to see you through those tough winter days. I wonder if that was what Jesus is talking about when he said, “Don’t just store up for yourself treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” When it gets bleak and cold in your heart, you need something to get you through those tough days. Preachers like me are always encouraging people to develop a prayer life, to read the Bible, and to worship regularly. We don’t ask you to do those things because we don’t have anything better to ask you to do. Those are things that, if you do them, they will help you store up heavenly treasures in your heart to get you through the winters of your life. Never forget the faith you develop and keep now will be a faith that one day keeps you.
– Dr. Tim Thompson