I Survived Y2K

We're well into the new millennium--give or take a few years. Your eyes have finally adjusted to the sunlight? Only a short while ago, you were safely ensconced in your bunker, (your Y2K survival kit close by, solar panels firmly in place) concocting those roots-and-berries casseroles. (You did remember the solar panels, didn't you?) And none of it hurt a bit. Or did it?

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before January 1, 2000

1. Never tear open a can of Beefaroni with your bare teeth--bring a manually operated can opener.

2. Check your Millennium Survival Kit before December 29. It may not contain a manually-operated can opener.

3. Do not try to fit a washing machine into your bunker, no matter how long your extension cord is.

4. January 2 is too late to decide that you don't like camping.

5. Next time, go for the cabin instead of the bunker (less mud).

6. When your kids are bored, don't tell them to go play in the forest. They may return home with some rather bizarre pets.

7. No need to stock up on beauty products. Plenty of raw material for mud packs.

8. You don't need the bandhani traditional cotton sari, with 22-karat gold thread on the beaded blouse, which you purchased in the fervor of the moment (for a mere $1,095) to wear to your church's Christmas concert.

9. Remember that the rain was going to wash away the "X marks the spot" for my stash of gold.

10. No reason to worry about receiving my favourite magazine. Say, that post office is something. "Through rain, snow and Y2K" right to my bunker door.

Might have been some scary moments, eh? One day, you're minding your own business--washing dishes and planning for a New Year's Eve service at church. The next day, you could have been heading for the hills to cook over a can of Sterno, leaving behind everything of material value. (Even more dreadful, you think of having your home and belongings wiped out in a flood, earthquake, or some other natural disaster.)

Now, in all seriousness, visualize going to Heaven. Maybe the world didn't end but we still do believe in a Rapture, don't we? Say good-bye to the barbecue, the hot-tub, the dishwasher, and the new wallpaper and ceramic tile you just put up. Forget about the microwave, Grandma's set of silver cutlery and even that stash of chocolate you have hidden away in the drawer.

And all in the twinkling of an eye. No tears, no tantrum. Can you imagine, however, if this imminent event could be planned for... somehow sandwiched into our schedule? Think about the Lord having to deal with us women:

    "Lord, won't you please reconsider and let me take my new living-room furniture? Okay, okay, I'll settle for just the recliner."
   "Can you wait just a minute, Lord? I want to look at my garden one more time. It was the most gorgeous one on the block."
    "Oh-oh! May we go back? I can't remember if I turned off the iron!"

O.K. O.K.. So, someday I'm going to leave it all. I've heard it preached over and over. I've read it in my devotions. I know that the riches stored up for me in Heaven can never parallel these temporal souvenirs I hoard on earth. But does that mean that I should never decorate my house or enjoy a good meal or dress in something brand new and halfway decent? Maybe I should just get rid of every luxury, and go live in my car. Oh, stop being a martyr--of course not!

But as the feared "millenium bug" becomes a distant memory and before we get too much further into 2000 - think about it. Are you content to simply cocoon yourself in a collection of momentary delights? Or rather, will you center on the treasures that you can take with you--the eternal souls of family, friends, strangers--people who may not even realize that they are waiting for you to tell them about the priceless gift of eternal life. So, let's get those spiritual "bugs" fixed, before it's too late - for them and for us.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, And where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matthew 6:19,20

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