From The Backwoods Pew

Whiter Than Snow

There is a run on bread and milk at the local grocery!

No, it isn’t because the stock market has crashed. No, George Bailey (a.k.a. Jimmy Stewart) isn’t desperately trying to delay the snatching of Wonder Bread from the shelves as the clock ticks to wards closing time. No, it is not because someone has offered a new car to anyone who finds a winning ticket in a loaf of rye. Instead, just understand that you live in the Southeast, home of rare ice storms, infrequent snow fall, and annual hurricanes. We actually get to find out what the National Emergency Broadcast has to say when they are not taking tests. Roads are closed, traffic diverted, and beaches evacuated as the local radio program is interrupted. As you reach for your #2 pencil, prepared for yet another test, you find out there is a storm coming to visit, and it is time to get ready; it’s time to go buy bread and milk! Farmers in Kansas, weary from the tornadoes of spring, now have a chance to reap another type of whirlwind as bread product sales escalate. Cows in Wisconsin click their heels, eat some more grass and head for the shed; time to donate to the cause once again.

Without the benefit of experience, and with little equipment in comparison to their northern counterparts, the South braces for the onslaught of bad winter weather with the same attitude it faces the summer hurricane. Get some groceries, kick back, and let it rip. Might be 20° today, but in two days we will see 55°. Might be raining sideways today, but don’t cancel the weekend picnic just yet; 70° and clear is just around the corner.

While not making light of the destruction that accompanies many of these weather events or of the heartache and pain they produce, the run on bread and milk is not a trivial issue. The abundance of trees in the Southeast and the long stretches of timberland laced with power lines make for power company nightmares when storm winds begin to drop trees or snow-laden branches begin to crash to earth. It is customary for Southern, as well as Midwest and Northern power companies to send crews towards the storms of the South, to begin the arduous task of turning the power back on. With no power, it means refrigerators and freezers are out, barbecue grills are working overtime and everyone is “eating good” in the neighborhood. Whatever you have in the cupboard when the storm hits, may be all you have to eat for the next several days.

There are always those who seem to be endlessly prepared. They did not wait on the local news anchorman to officially start the run on the local grocer; they have their supply of batteries, fresh water, milk, and bread. For reasons known only to them, standing in line with the last loaf of bread and clutching the last carton of milk, trophies of the race, so to speak, is not all that appealing.

I prefer to let others grab the milk and bread; I run for the Dr. Pepper and Little Debbie’s! Hours later, as a tree somewhere takes out my power, I sit in blissful darkness (I forgot the batteries), eat my snack cakes and drink my soda.

Storms come into our lives in the same way. Often, they are an nounc ed, sometimes warnings are ignored, and others come out of nowhere. They slam into us with force. Our breath is knocked from us; we stagger in the darkness, looking for the answers. A job lost; a stroke or unexpected diagnosis; a spouse who leaves; a child makes bad decisions—life as we knew it will never be the same. Did we make it to the grocery store to buy the bread and milk?

It has to start with Jesus before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm. There is only one answer to life, only one thing we need in the cupboard, one thing to reach for when the power goes out. He alone can provide the nourishment our soul has craved since we started this journey called life. Here are his words:

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.”—John 6:35

What that means in a nutshell is that all you need to survive is Jesus. Just as food and water are absolutely necessary for our physical survival, for our eternal soul to survive, we need Jesus!

When those storms arrive, when the power goes out, and sorrow has drained you of all your strength, know this: if you have taken the Bread of Life, you are in his hands. His hands are strong and gentle; they will hold you despite the an guish of your heart, despite the endless tears you might shed. As food gives your body strength, Jesus brings to you a peace and strength to endure the storm. He will not let you go; he will not be late in showing up. Read more

“But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me. This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all He has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent me that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”—John 6:36-39

Sprinting around aisle seven, we just miss the distraction of the donuts, and head for the milk:

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.—1 Peter 2:1-3

Do you desire God’s Word? Read your Bible lately? Got milk? Need grace?

Storms come; they cannot be avoided. They can be met with prep aration, and endured with the strength and confidence that comes from being well fed and nourished in Jesus. It doesn’t mean there won’t be pain or sorrow; it isn’t a “get-out-of-jail-free card.” Sorrow comes to all of us. However, in the storm, to know that a loving God cares for you, will help you, and has something so much better waiting for you that will nourish your soul is so reassuring. Take a look at your cupboard, forget the #2 pencil, and be prepared for the storm; get the Bread of Life, and soak up the Milk of the Word.

Author and forester Bradley

Antill, excerpted from Pines, Prayers, and Pelts, available at

www.onatreeforestry.com