Day 15: Be Prepared

I am sure this motto if a familiar saying, "Always be prepared."  It was a Girl Scout phrase that has just stuck with me.  It applies to many avenues of life.  It can be applied to many different situations. For me being prepared is a heart issue.  Who knows what the day will hold let alone the entire week.  The bast way I have found to be prepared is to prepare in Him.  This way I am covered.  It may sound a bit strange, but believe me I can tell the difference in days that I spent some good quality time on my knees, praying and reading the my Bible.  I also know the difference between days that I hurried along my quiet time.  It doesn't pay to force it or even to just do it and cross it off the list.  To truly prepare means I must be invested in what I am doing for that moment.  To be fully engaged in it and a participant in it.  Not just a bystander or a passer-by.  Carving out alone time can be so stressful in itself, but the rewards are so worth it.  I find that when I am prepared for the day ahead I am more relaxed, more aware to His presence with me and eager to give to others.

You can't give away what you don't have.  I try to pray two specific scriptures every morning for myself and my family.  They are the Armor of God and the Fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 6:11-18

 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Galatians 5:22-23
" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Now I can truly begin my day, knowing I am prepared for battle with the armor on.  I am fueled up to give out the fruits of the Spirit to those in need.  I know that the day before me hold countless times the enemy will throw darts, my faith will be challenged and my trust questioned.  I know that there will be people I will need patience for and self control to bite my tongue. Enjoying communion with God is supposed to be a continual affair--not just in the morning when I begin my day.  I know when I do that it helps me to be mindful of His presence through out my day.  It encourages me and keeps me going.  That is why I try my best to always be prepared.