As I sit down to write this month’s column, many people around me are consumed with fear and the overriding sense of uncertainty of what the days and weeks ahead will look like is palpable. Where do you turn for comfort when uncertainty fills your life? It is precisely during times of crisis and uncertainty that the need for faith in an omnipresent and omniscient God is shown most clearly. It is easy to have faith when the sailing is smooth, the sun is shining, there is money in the bank, and everyone is healthy. When the storm clouds gather, the cupboards and the bank account are bare, and sickness looms we discover whether our faith is strong or anemic. Or maybe you don’t have any faith in anything larger than yourself. Maybe you are one of those people who depends entirely on your own resources to get you through whatever life brings your way. In that case you are definitely facing a crisis when you find yourself face to face with a situation that you have absolutely no power to control. When I was starting my company twenty years ago I named it Solid Rock Enterprises after the scripture in Matthew 7: 24-27 which says,
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
On what foundation is your life built on? Have you had more time on your hands lately to think about it? The Bible says that whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved!
Have you also noticed things around your house that need attention lately? Safety in the home is a very real concern. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), falls are the leading cause of fatal injury and the most common cause of nonfatal trauma-related hospital admissions among older adults. Falls result in more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 27,000 deaths. Many of these falls are due to environmental hazards within the home. Things like trailing extension cords and clutter can be remedied easily. Other projects require more of an investment but are well worth the expense in increased peace of mind and decreased chance of falling. Here are a few items to consider:
- Adding grab bars throughout your home in areas of fall risk such as bathrooms, stairways, level changes, and entryways.
- Adding extra lighting in areas that are poorly lit. Adding motion sensors will assure that the lights are on when you need them.
- Adding non slip flooring in place of slippery flooring, especially wet areas such as bathrooms, laundry areas, and kitchens. Also adding anti slip treads or tape on stairs can help prevent a nasty fall.
- Converting a bathtub into a curbless or step in shower can make it easier and safer to bathe. Be sure to incorporate the grab bars mentioned above and possibly a shower seat.
If I can help with any of these or other home safety modifications, please give me a call at 540-384-2064
