The Bomb Shelter

We traveled to the small town that I grew up in for Father's Day this past Sunday as my Dad and Mom live there.  We had a great time visiting - just sitting around talking, laughing, and remembering events from the past.  In a lot of ways the town of Kinder has changed from the sleepy little town it once was, but some of the "old Kinder" still exists.

Lots of times memories from the past just sneak up on me and I'll remember something that has been in the corner of my little brain somewhere hiding in the dark corner of my cobweb-filled head.  Like this one: I had an Uncle Ben and Aunt Oma who have long since passed away, but they once lived in Kinder on a street not far from where the old baseball field was where I played Little League.  As kids growing up in nineteen seventy-something, we'd go to their house to visit and the kids would play outside.  Right next door to them were some neighbors of whom our families were good friends with (but of course in a town of 2,500, you're pretty much good friends with everyone).

In any event, these neighbors had a bomb shelter.  It was always so very interesting to me.  It was kind of falling down and in ruins, but it was a real bomb shelter.  In my mind's eye, in its heyday it might've looked something remotely similar to this one and was built with cinder blocks.  As a kid, life was simple and innocent and I wasn't concerned with world events, politics or the worries and responsibilities of adulthood.

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I can remember being told that people were very concerned about bombs and some even built fall-out shelters to protect themselves.  My parents were in college at LSU during the Cuban missile crisis and they've told me about bomb drills that they had while in class there when they'd get underneath desks.  LSU is located in Baton Rouge and is home to many refineries, chemical plants, and other petrochemical interests on the Mississippi River that would be prime targets for an attack. Everyone was concerned, rightfully so, as evidenced by articles, filmstrips, bomb shelter plans in THIS LINK from military.com.

When the Cold War ended, and the 'War on Terror' ramped up, people no longer built shelters, but prepared in other ways.  People don't think about a nuclear attack by another super power on a daily basis, and although it is still a potential threat, attacks could come in a number of ways that weren't really thought of back then.  First, there are terrorist attacks in which densely populated urban areas could be targeted with bombs. Then there are chemical or biological attacks or attacks on our food or water supply.  There could be an Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that could put us back in the days prior to the Industrial Revolution in a matter of minutes.

Of course there are always things to worry about and worry really doesn't do anyone any good.  Most Americans just want to live their lives and provide for their families. To me, the most likely event that could compromise our ability to provide for our families is a self inflicted one - a financial collapse brought about by our Government's poor financial stewardship.  In fact, I think this collapse is not only a potential, I think it is inevitable, but I don't think we need to be fearful or waste time worrying.  That is counter-productive.

It is my opinion that we need to prepare as we would for any natural disaster, exactly the preparation that my Uncle Ben and Aunt Oma's neighbor did in building a bomb shelter for what seemed like the inevitable bomb attack.  Being prepared is the Scout Motto and is just good wisdom.  I wanted to just jot down a few of my thoughts:

First, in preparing, I'd make sure that my spiritual house is in order:

 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

In my estimation, our lives are but a vapor.  We're here today and gone tomorrow. Life can be cut so short, so fast.  Eternity is forever.  It doesn't do much good to try to prolong the 75 years on average we're given on this planet and not prepare for the eternity that follows the last breath we take.

Next, I'd make sure that my financial house is in order.  We live in a society where we're in debt and we're one injury or lay-off away from being unable to pay our bills and being forced into foreclosure or bankruptcy.  We should sacrifice, save, and set our sights on becoming debt-free.  It is important to have an emergency fund put aside so that you have some currency to live on during an unexpected disruption caused by illness, job loss, or other catastrophe.

Further, I think it is important to live in the country.  With a little acreage, once can grow a garden, have a few chickens or other animals and begin to grow at least a portion of your own food.  One should begin to acquire knowledge in how to preserve food and start to build a pantry of canned food that can sustain you for weeks or months, if needed.  It is important to build friendships with neighbors and help one another out, sharing produce from the garden, eggs, and baked goods. Good neighbors look out for one another, watch each others' homes, and lend a hand when tough times come.  It is also very important to seek fellowship and community of like-minded believers in a Bible-believing church, coming together weekly as Christians who live out their faith and pray for one another, study the Word, and worship the true and Living God.  

Seek out a church family

I am convinced that God gives wisdom and wants us to use it.  In the Bible story of Joseph, we learn that they stored food during the good years in preparation for the famine that was to come.  How true!  On the other hand, I think some 'preppers' go overboard.  We must ensure that we are balanced.  It is prudent to take necessary steps with the wisdom God's given us, but should make sure that we've built our foundation on the Solid Rock.  In the final analysis, our bomb shelter must be Christ. All the preparation in the world is for naught if He's not our fall-out shelter.

"On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is shifting sand.  All other ground is shifting sand."

And as the psalmist said:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.  Psalm 91: 1-7

Notice that He is the Refuge and Shelter.  Notice that He covers us and delivers us and we shouldn't be afraid.  Take time to ensure that you've taken time to build your 'bomb shelter' by getting to know Him today.