Devotions by Barb -- October 28, 2025

In this space, I am sharing devotions written by our dear Barbara Meade.

Barbara grew up a Quaker and is a regular attendee at Spiceland Friends Church. Her faith and Quaker roots go deep as her uncle was a Quaker pastor, evangelist, and artist. Barb's writings about her many life experiences reveal her faith in Christ and highlight the memories of a great family, her years in the banking industry, and her time as a local small business owner. Barb's desire is to serve those around her through her encouraging devotionals and writings from her life. Barb has recognized that our relationship with Christ grows throughout our lives, both in good times and through life's challenges.

PREPARING FOR WINTER

I have been noticing our little critters, busy at work. The squirrels are gathering acorns, so many acorns this year. Watching the birds hiding seeds in the trees. The groundhogs are taking green tomatoes to their den. Nothing goes to waste, and they are always prepared. They teach us good lessons.

God gave them the knowledge, the instinct to be prepared, “wisdom from the creator”.

Job 39 tells us of the wisdom and power of God in creating his creators. Now, if God loved his critters so much to have given them such knowledge, think of his love for us.

Matthew 6:26 Jesus says, “Look at the birds in the air”. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. “Are you not much more valuable than they?”

When studying this subject, I discovered in Genesis 2:19-20 that God gave Adam the responsibility of naming the animals, something I hadn’t thought about before.

We must be prepared too. Not only for winter and tomorrow, but for eternity. I know what God has planned for us. In John 14:2-3 he tells us he has prepared a place for us in Heaven.

Amen

Eric is our associate pastor, working with outreach and youth ministry as well as adult discipleship and growth. Eric retired from a 28-year career in public education as a high school band director in 2019 and is now living his lifelong dream as a pastor. Eric and his wife, Diana, continue to live in Henry County where they have been lifetime residents. They "raised" three children and are now making their best attempt at "raising" themselves.