Feed #wordstudywednesday

Do you find your food budget is getting tighter? Or do you know some people who do? The Lord has been teaching us something beautiful this summer... and while it wasn't in *Heather's* plans... it's richer... it's better... and I pray you are blessed by it as well....

Our children discovered this treasure of a robin's nest as we were picking berries.
And it reminded me of that Bible verse. So, I thought it fitting to do a Word Study along these lines.

I'm much like that mama robin. I have a *nest* for my young... and I, too, am surrounded by God's many provisions. As are you, Dear Heart.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

Feed, v.t. pret. and pp. [See Father]

2. To supply with provisions.

6. To keep in hope or expectation; as to feed one with hope.

In particular, my attention is drawn to where the word Feed directs us: [See Father.] Interestingly (but not surprisingly) the word feed points us to the word Father! Thanks to Mr. Webster for the reminder of what Scripture teaches us!

What does the Bible say about the word Feed?

"Look at the birds of the sky; They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you more than they?" Matthew 6:26 Holman Christian Standard Bible

Personal application:

God (Yahweh), our heavenly Father, has faithfully provided for us... and He continues to do so even now. Yes, He supplies us with provisions!

Over the years He has done this in a variety of ways.

The past couple of years, He has blessed us with a special experience. We have brothers and sisters in Christ (neighbors, friends and family) who have come along our side and 1. taught us skill sets such as canning while we help them can their food; 2. where the best deals are for picking our own food; 3. sharing their harvest from their gardens; 4. teaching us how to garden; 5. how to create new starts; 6. sharing plants from their gardens to help us establish our own source of food; 7. how to make the most of the space we have. They have lived out the sixth definition of feed...

6. To keep in hope or expectation; as to feed one with hope.

Undoubtedly, these are all living examples of our Heavenly Father's provision.

This may be pretty common for many people, but for us this is refreshing and it literally feeds us with the hope of feeding our family for less and for helping family and friends. The truth of the matter is, most people go through seasons of lean and plenty. It has been such a blessing for us to learn from others and also to share with others what we have to offer and have learned. 

We are fresh urban homesteaders (at least I like to think of us as such. lol!).  And I mean fresh. I'm not embarrassed to share about this because all of us have to begin somewhere and perhaps you can relate! You know those packs of veggies for $.99 at the store? Well, my sweet friend informed me that most packs of veggies have four plants (not one) and that we had some more spacing to do! That was news to me! Surprisingly, the four stems on our cucumbers do not come off of one plant. I'm enthusiastic because it means abundance for my family and plenty more for sharing! 

Then this dear friend mentioned that where she is from, people don't buy plants. People always share freely with each other from what they have in their gardens because plants reproduce so easily. Everything she has growing in her yard, has been given to her. So, as her plants multiply, she gives to others.

And... that gave me pause.

We have a Heavenly Father who has given us so many brothers and sisters in Christ. If we all grow what fruits/veggies we can and swap them among each other, we could seriously ease the food budget for our families! 

Have a ton of sun? Take advantage of it!

Have more shade? There are plenty of low light foods you could grow. Even if it's something you wouldn't care to eat, you could grow it and swap it for something your friends grow.

Not much room to grow anything? Why not U-pick and then swap the fruit of your labors with others for what they grow?

So my dear friend (one of many dear friends!) had a marvelous idea! We are going to co-host a Plant-Swap Garden Party. Our families will be able to gift each other in such a wonderful way. Do you love this as much as I do?!! I'll be doing a mini-series on putting a Plant-Swap Garden Party together. Stay tuned!

Oh! Even if you aren't gardening, you could host something similar where you and friends split good deals on foods you buy. It could even add more variety to your menues!

So, tell me, what do you think? Does this encourage or inspire you in any way? How so and what do you think you will do?

 

Blessings!