one-quarter cup

Over on “Food Storage… A Necessary Adventure”, there is a recent post called Have you seen a 1/4 cup lately.

One Number by 427 on flickr
One Number by 427 on flickr

It put a few things into perspective for me. Of course you should go read the post, but the basic rundown for me was that the minimum amount of food for longer term survival comes in the form of 1/4 cup of rice, and another 1/4 cup of beans, in dried form. How much is a quarter cup, really? We all have measuring cups that size, go check it out. It is really little.

This should give us all some hope for the possibility of storing enough for ourselves. A 25lb bag each of beans and rice gives just over 300 days of *minimal* sustenance! Not only does that show us how easy it can be to get started, but as the poster notes, that also gives us a great understanding of how we can provide some charity in the worst of situations. I know I plan the food for my family, and in the worst of cases, I would need to focus on keeping those resources for my family. But inside we all want to help others. Even if we’re not giving much, just a quarter-cup of dried beans and rice can keep a person alive. Understanding that from our side makes it easier to share.

Now you need to learn how to make the best use *of* that little amount.

4 Replies to “one-quarter cup”

  1. Or you could remember the story of the widow of Zarapeth who only had a little cruse of oil and an handful of meal left. When the Prophet Elijah came, he told her to make him a cake. She explained her circumstances and he told her not to worry, but make him the cake. She did. That cruse of oil and handful of meal fed Elijah, the widow, her son and all her household for THREE years!

    I can bear testimony of this principle working. Fed 6 missionaries (expecting 2), my husband (a big eater), and my daughter from a 4 qt crockpot of chili and a 12″ cast iron pan of cornbread. (It should only have fed 2 missionaries, my husband and daughter.) When I got home from Homemaking, I looked in the bottom of the pot. I sure was hungry, but there was only about 1 cup of chili left and one small slice of cornbread. Normally, I would have eaten 2 bowls full, but I was unable to eat that 1 cup of chili completely gone. I ate and ate and ate. I got down to the last 2 tbs and every time I got another bit, there was STILL about 2 Tbs left. I finally was SO full, fed the last 2 Tbs to the “chicken bucket”. Seriously, I COULD not finish what was in the bowl. It was impossible.

    Never fear to share food with those in need! Share with a grateful heart and no one will starve, unless it’s Father’s will that you guys “go” that way.

  2. Or you could remember the story of the widow of Zarapeth who only had a little cruse of oil and an handful of meal left. When the Prophet Elijah came, he told her to make him a cake. She explained her circumstances and he told her not to worry, but make him the cake. She did. That cruse of oil and handful of meal fed Elijah, the widow, her son and all her household for THREE years!

    I can bear testimony of this principle working. Fed 6 missionaries (expecting 2), my husband (a big eater), and my daughter from a 4 qt crockpot of chili and a 12″ cast iron pan of cornbread. (It should only have fed 2 missionaries, my husband and daughter.) When I got home from Homemaking, I looked in the bottom of the pot. I sure was hungry, but there was only about 1 cup of chili left and one small slice of cornbread. Normally, I would have eaten 2 bowls full, but I was unable to eat that 1 cup of chili completely gone. I ate and ate and ate. I got down to the last 2 tbs and every time I got another bit, there was STILL about 2 Tbs left. I finally was SO full, fed the last 2 Tbs to the “chicken bucket”. Seriously, I COULD not finish what was in the bowl. It was impossible.

    Never fear to share food with those in need! Share with a grateful heart and no one will starve, unless it’s Father’s will that you guys “go” that way.

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