The Faithful Wanderer

Another Minor Holiday

To celebrate ‘National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day’ which is tomorrow, Monday, January 27th, I’m uploading my weekly post early. You may notice that Bubble Wrap is capitalized everywhere in my writing. That’s because the words “Bubble Wrap” and “BubbleWrap” are both registered trademarks of the Sealed Air Corporation, which produces this wonderful packing material.

Enjoy these creative ideas on how to use Bubble Wrap—and I’ll bet you’ll try at least one of them!

 7 Strange Ways to use Bubble Wrap

1) Insulate Windows

When I lived in Michigan, my female roommate and I rented an older apartment, built decades before we were born. The 7 or 8 large rectangular windows let in plenty of light. But in the winter, freezing drafts blew through every room.

In an effort to keep our home warm, we bought shrink wrap and double-sided tape. I still remember standing on a chair with a hair drier, heat-shrinking the taped plastic to get a tight seal. It worked! The rooms became noticeably warmer. Unfortunately, after a few days, the powerful drafts started popping the tape seals open again.

A better idea? Bubble Wrap. The air pockets provide insulation and can be taped just along the drafty cracks. Then the wind has much less surface area to push against.

2) Deer in your Garden?

Do you have deer treating your garden like an all-you-can-eat buffet? Here’s a great fix.

Create a border around the outside of your garden using sheets of Bubble Wrap. Anchor the corners with rocks. If you wish, you can cover your work with hay or leaves, but it isn’t necessary.

Stepping on Bubble Wrap spooks deer. They won’t cross it.

3) Splint Broken Bones

If you don’t have the materials for a splint, you can immobilize someone’s broken arm or leg by wrapping the limb with several layers of this air-filled packing material. It provides extra padding too.

4) Create Your Own Padded Envelops

Avoid the expense and extra trips to the office supply store by creating your own padded envelops. Just use cardstock and left-over sheets of Bubble Wrap to custom fit any size envelop.

5) Prevent Blisters

Many weekend gardeners get blisters when raking leaves or shoveling mulch.

If garden gloves aren’t handy, put Bubble Wrap around the wooden handle using rubber bands or tape, to protect your hands.

6) Protect the Car Windshield

During bad winter weather, protect your vehicle overnight by laying a slightly larger sheet of Bubble Wrap over your car’s windshield. It’s easy to peel off and stops frost from forming on the glass surface. It will also catch any snow that falls. Simply roll the sheet up, shake off the snow and drive away. If necessary, use the car’s wipers to anchor the Bubble Wrap.

7) Prevent Young Plants from Freezing

During winter, protect seedlings and young plants from frost by cocooning them in Bubble Wrap.

The sun heats up the air pockets during the day, keeping the plant and soil warmer. At the same time, it still lets the sunlight shine on the leaves.

So, the Bubble Wrap functions as a small greenhouse around each young plant.

I love all these new ideas. I might even try one or two.

Of course, Bubble Wrap’s main function is to protect easily broken items during shipping.

A beautiful vase. Fine china. Cut glass crystal bowls. A grandfather clock passed down in the family for generations. We take time to cushion and protect the things most precious to us.

When Jesus walked this earth, He demonstrated that there was nothing more precious in His Heavenly Father’s eyes than people. Every miracle He did blessed someone.  Our Savior even died to open up an eternal future for us to share.

So, does Jesus ever wrap His precious people in “spiritual Bubble Wrap” to keep us safe?

No. He doesn’t.

There are no “Bubble Wrapped” Believers

Christians experience evil events and tragedies in this world just like everyone else. They’re victims of violent crimes or suffer child abuse. Natural disasters such as flooding, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes destroy family homes or businesses. Heart attacks, miscarriages, cancers and strokes happen to people they love.

We are infinitely precious to God, but He doesn’t cocoon us in Bubble Wrap.

Instead, He walks through life’s pain and sorrow with us, and as we learn to lean on Him, He changes us from the inside into something glorious. He’s also the only One I know who can bring good out of evil.

I don’t know what you’re going through, but I know the Holy Spirit wants to walk with you.

He is, after all, called the Comforter.

All these images were downloaded from Pixabay.com.

Resources:

Learn more about the invention of Bubble Wrap and how to properly celebrate “National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day” by clicking on the link.

Editor’s note: Last week, when I started researching the wonderfully outlandish uses for Bubble Wrap that people had discovered, I didn’t even know about tomorrow’s national holiday. I’m stunned by the perfect timing and I believe it might just have been set up by my loving divine Editor.

Feel free to check out my earlier post, “Evidence of Jesus’ Sense of Humor.”