Two words grabbed my attention this morning – “stored up.”

It happened while reading something Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.”  Luke 6:45

Stored up. When I go to my pantry I find just what I put in there. If it’s empty, it’s because I haven’t been putting anything in. If it’s filled with garbage it’s because I’ve been filling it with garbage. If I expect to find something good to eat, then I need to put something good in.

As the old computer programmers used to say – GIGO – garbage in, garbage out.

That made me think about what I’m stocking in the pantry of my life. What am I putting into my heart and mind on a daily basis? Am I filling it with something that will nourish and produce health in my heart or mind? Or just with the most convenient thing I can grab – often the TV remote.

And, what about when I have guests over? Do I have something of value in my pantry to give them? When I have a friend in crisis, do I have anything good stored up in my heart and soul that can bring life, hope and health to them? I sure want to.

Personally, I know there have been times I’ve filled my pantry with things that actually poison my spirit. What kind of fool stores poison in his pantry? I did. And, so, when I went to pull something out of the pantry, out came evil, impure, unkind thoughts.

Other times, I haven’t filled it with poison but things like Twinkies, Cheetos (I love those crispy little sticks of “cheese”) and Cokes. Those things aren’t necessarily bad but they aren’t going to provide much strength or nutrition for the day. They aren’t going to provide any internal resources if I run into a situation that requires strength to help myself or help someone else.

I want to be filled enough each day that I can stay healthy but also to have plenty of strength, wisdom, insight, a word to speak at just the right time, to help others.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart…”

I realized I need to continually stock my pantry with good music, good reading, good podcasts, good thoughts. Not only for my own spiritual health but also so I’ll have plenty to share when my friends, my family, my wife, my kids (and now grandkids) need some nourishing insight to help them get through the day.

What are some ways you put good things into your soul’s pantry?
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Luke 6:45
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

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