FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 LOVE WINS - PLANNING FOR PITFALLS

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2021 LOVE WINS- PLANNING FOR PITFALLS

Guess what - we all are going to have troubles ahead of us.  How many of us in December 2019 thought that in March 2020 a worldwide pandemic was going to happen?  

So, trouble ahead of us.  Surely!!  Maybe not today, maybe not in five years.  Insurance companies are betting you will need some help financially.  They have studied the odds of getting into an accident. They can predict based on your health how long you will live - and sell you life insurance.  And, the insurance companies say pay now for future problems.  Now some insurance will never get used - but you paid for it.  I have renters insurance for my apartment and I don’t anticipate ever using it.  

Yes, I have health insurance; yes, I have car insurance; yes, I have some life insurance.  

And, I can anticipate some things.  

I am seventy-four years old.  I will die someday.  In recent months I’ve looked at some health issues.  I don’t want to get dementia.  I want to be healthy.  I want to see (eventually), my grandchildren graduate, get married, have their own lives.

And, I need to do some planning.  Proverbs 14:8 says “The prudent understand where they are going,  but fools deceive themselves.”

Yes, I am trying to be a Godly person - but I have free will.  I am not a puppet that God moves the strings and I jump along.  I can anticipate that if I ate a gallon of ice cream every day for the next six months, and did no exercise that my risk of a heart attack will rise.  If I drive too fast all the time, my risk of getting a speeding ticket and of an accident increases.  

If I am to be “prudent” the dictionary says “acting with or showing care and thought for the future.”  Yes, I can trust “God to provide” (Philippians 4:19 says “ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”  But being prudent I should not spend all my money but put some into savings or investments.  I also should be prudent in my giving for organizations that I believe in and support.  

I talked with a friend two days ago who has a bad knee.  Many seniors get knee replacements (and hip replacements) and while they may extend the life span.  Another friend already has a knee replacement scheduled for early November.

The verse for today is: Proverbs 14:8 says “The prudent understand where they are going,  but fools deceive themselves.”.  While I don’t exactly know where I am going, I know I am going to die.  I would prefer to live a long productive life.

I’d like to:

. Visit Alaska (the only state I haven’t been in

. Visit several national parks that I have not seen

. Be a supporter of senior friends

. Continue to grow in faith and writing skills

. Practice LOVE WINS

. Avoid judgment and hate

So, in ten years, I will be 84 years old. Trying to be prudent, at that age I will:

• walk at least three miles a day

• write a blog post at least three times a week

• visit seniors in their living spaces at least three times a week

• play with at least one musical group

• create art for my own walls

• have a loving and meaningful relationship with my family

• worship and talk with God daily

• Have a social life (like social bridge)

• Keep physically active, mentally alert, nutritionally balanced

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So, what am I trying to do today?  To encourage you to consider where you are going (and, ultimately, where I am going!!)  I am to be prudent, (showing care and thought for the future).  Life isn’t just to be chaos, but planned to a certain degree.  

I’m trying to live a good life for the rest of my years.  I want to continue to give back to society and “preach” that LOVE WINS!!

Karen