Live Ready

By: Jenifer Metzger

This year my family and friends have experienced so much unexpected loss. We lost my mother-in-law suddenly in January. In May, a gentleman we used to attend church with suddenly passed away. In July Wynter Pitts suddenly passed away. Last week a church van in our state (not our church, but friends of ours) traveling to a float trip had an accident where three teens lost their lives.

Unexpected loss. I don't think you are ever fully prepared to lose someone under any circumstance. But when you fully expect to see your loved one again and don't get the chance to say goodbye, it leaves an emptiness, a void.

If I were honest, I'd say it brings a fear when I dwell on the losses. I'd tell you that it makes me want to gather my children and husband and keep them at home where I can watch over them twenty-four hours a day. It makes me want to never let my loved ones out of my sight.

Yet, we can't live like that! We can't live in fear of something happening. My husband often reminds me, a semi-helicopter mom, that we are not in control and just because we keep our families tucked safe under our wing doesn't mean nothing will happen.

Instead of living in fear, we need to live ready.

Live spiritually ready

Is your heart ready? Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life? Have you repented of your sins, something we must do on a daily basis? Do you spend time in prayer, speaking to God and listening to God? Do you read your Bible regularly? Do you attend church, tithe, and witness? Do you strive to live for God in all you do, say, and think? We need to live spiritually ready. We don't know what will happen at any given moment. We could meet with a catastrophic event or our Father could come back. Is your heart ready?

Live relationship ready

I've heard it said that you should never leave your home without telling your loved ones that you love them. That is so very true. Do you make sure your loved ones know that you love them? Do you forgive when forgiveness is needed? Do you apologize when you've wrong someone? Or do you leave things unsaid and go long periods of time without connecting? A few days before my mother-in-law passed away, my husband had a check in his heart that he needed to go visit her. He decided to wait and go that weekend. It was too late. Ask forgiveness, grant forgiveness, hug your loved ones, kiss your spouse, tell people you love and appreciate them. Are your relationships ready.

We don't have to live in fear, we just need to live ready. Friends, are you ready?