Keep Preparing

 

As I walked along on this sunny, 70 degree afternoon, people were out and about. Shorts and shirt sleeves had finally made a return appearance to the sidewalks of the wonderful old neighborhood. I passed little boys with fishing poles heading to the creek, voices full of excitement. Everything seemed to say that Winter had passed and Spring was already making its way into the world.

But then there was this home. Neat as a pin, the owners had obviously cleaned up from the winds and snow and ice of the past weeks. But they had also replaced the plastic sheeting they had cut and placed over their front flower beds. Even this was pristine and perfect. On a street where everyone appeared to be moving on, this home clearly thinks something else is coming. They seem to believe Winter is not over. They are still prepared for heavy frosts and beyond.

A look at the long range forecast shed light on this situation. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday temperatures fall once again into the 20’s. There is even the chance of precipitation. This family did their homework. This family is prepared for whatever comes this week in terms of the weather.

I could not help but think how this relates to life in general. Something is always coming, isn’t it? Sometimes it seems that we just get our life cleaned up and back in order after one storm and another is already blowing its way into the forecast. What should we do? Perhaps we just keep on moving, keep on preparing ourselves, keep on planning for what lies ahead.

We read in Deuteronomy, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” The faithful people of old went from one battle to the next, one crisis to another, relentlessly challenged by the unsettled nature of their existence. But they could face it all, because God was right there with them in the storms.

Likewise, the fact that storms keep coming should not surprise us. We would do well to learn from this neighbor. Recover from the storm. Clean up. Enjoy the sunshine. But still cover the plants. Winter may still have another storm to bring into our life, but God will still be there for the clean up.

Peace.