Preparation

I live in Northwest Florida.  The panhandle of Florida. On the Emerald Coast.  A lot of people call it South Alabama.  We are 7 hours away from Orlando, and 10 hours away from Miami (depending on traffic).

Hurricane Irma is scheduled to hit Miami tomorrow (Saturday), and Florida Governor Scott cancelled all schools k-12, colleges and universities.  All activities cancelled through Monday so that the northern schools could provide shelters for the southern evacuees.  Also, I think, in preparation for the hurricane coming North.  People need to prepare.  Prepare.

There is an urgency in preparing for a Hurricane.  Getting your papers in order (birth certificates, marriage licenses, etc.) into Ziploc’s and storage tubs that may or may not be waterproof.  Photographs that are irreplaceable stored (somewhere – there is a great debate out there on this).  Clothes, medicines, food and water – everything that you may need for 3 days.  Even where I live, people are getting their personal items in order.  Some are getting gas, and sand bags.

I wonder how many are making sure their hearts are in order.  That they understand where their lives may end up (in the worst situation).  That is why we are preparing, right?  That there is a chance that everything will be gone, including our life?  Are you prepared?  I know that deep down I am prepared.  I am ready for whatever storm God brings me to, but that doesn’t make me stand still and do nothing.

I am a worst-case scenario person.  I tend to think the worst, and anything above that is gravy.  Even with the storm looming four or five days away, I think, what if?  Is my family prepared for something I can’t control?  Are their hearts ready?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths…”

-Proverbs 3:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Our direction is to go out and tell others.  To walk in our faith and let our light shine for all to see.  To guide those who need unfailing love.  It isn’t to be happy, or perfect, but to do His work –loving all.

“There comes a time to own your unhappiness and stop the blaming.  We get so fixated on whether or not we’re happy that we miss our life work.  You DO have a life work.  It was foreordained and timed by God.  It is the reason why you are here on this earth with your gifts and experience.” – Beth Moore

I often struggle with when it is the right time to share.  I want all to see that God’s love is everlasting, and that my faith is strong.  I struggle with my daily walk, and with giving everything to God.  I know that I struggle, but I come back to being prepared.  He knows my walk.  He guides my path.  He knows my storms.  I know that people will see what they want to see, but I pray they see my strength in Him regardless of my storm.

Preparing for a storm on Sunday, praying for all today.

Blessings.