February 11, 2014 - "Preparation!"

**** Remember, at the end of this month, I will be posting to my website and no longer here. For those of our family who don't live in Georgia, we are preparing for what the weather people are calling a "catastrophic event." I am a girl who likes to prepare, so I joined the ranks of those who listened and have a plan in place in the event they are correct. As I listened to the early reports this morning, the weather man conveyed that, "with every set of incoming data the event becomes worse." I was glad I made a plan last night but as I lay quietly this morning, I shifted my focus to things which happen daily, all around each of us, with the potential for catastrophic impact. Much of that goes unnoticed by the masses and yet shapes the inner workings of our heart. Doesn't it? Sometimes these "catastrophic-event makers" seem insignificant - unless they are happening to us. Consider these daily event-makers we are required to filter: 1. rejection 2. fear 3. failure 4. ugly comments about our kindness 5. family drama 6. anger And the list goes on. Each of these singularly impact things laying deep within who we are but often are joined by others exponentially impacting our spirits. Wouldn't it be great to announce, "I'm never bothered by these." Fabulous - please pray for me, as I am. Yes, when these unwanted visitors arrive, I find truth from God's Word and combat their advances. However, as with this ice event, sometimes they are random - hard to detect - and "weigh down" our power source (God's TRUTH). I thought this morning, making a daily plan to meet with God early, read His Word daily, pick up the weapons of our warfare (Ephesians 6), which are not carnal, and remain alert are all critical to surviving the "catastrophic-event makers" that Satan uses to keep us from moving forward in the full confidence that we have been redeemed and declared free by the blood of Jesus. That makes me want to shout! The weather people normally present "happy news" and rarely "catastrophic events." However, successfully navigating our day means we are preparing for those daily arrows the wicked one slings. They come - and they come daily. I cannot wait to fight until they arrive; I make a plan each morning. It's cool that the Holy Spirit, our eternal weather man, is sending the signals and the alert notices throughout the day. The questions is: what is our response? Let's not be trapped by denial, or fueled by drama, but stand firm in God's assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us! Amen! Stay warm! PK