Be Ready

Another agility guru suggested that before the agility trial, we replace the bandage on Honeybun's injured pad with liquid bandaid. I took off the wrap over her scraped pad, and could see no evidence of any injury anymore. I guess the medicinal honey had done its work. However, just to be safe, I put liquid bandaid over the pad. She flinched, so I guess there is still some sensitivity but she didn't limp so we are off to the agility trial this morning. Of course, between two bouts of Asherel's being sick and then Honeybun's injured pad, she has had almost no practice for this trial.
"It's ok," assured our instructor, "They are ready."
"It's ok," assured Asherel, "We are ready."
Honeybun licked off the liquid bandage and looked at me. She looked prepared for anything we might offer, as long as it was edible.
"Are you ready, Honeybun?"
Her ears perked. She might have imagined she heard the word "biscuit" and she is always ready for a biscuit.

Well, I don't know about them, but I am ready. I packed the car yesterday with chairs and the portable crate, suntan lotion, sun hat, extra jacket, water, snacks, iPod for drawing, tentative course times, volunteer schedule, phone, chargers, and umbrella. Then I gathered 5 baggies of goodies for Honeybun, one for each run over the next two days. I packed that with the 5 warm-up hotdogs, and collapsible bowl. Then I sat down and wondered what it is that makes us want to get up at the crack of dawn and do this. There is so much preparation for a total of 5 minutes of feverish activity over the course of two long days. She will do 5 runs in two days, and each run takes roughly one minute. The packing the car and gathering everything we need took me half a day. Preparation is most of what agility is all about, I decided.

Being prepared is a big deal in the Bible. There are scads of references. It is clear the God is keen on preparation. Not once does He recommend flying by the seat of our pants and hoping for the best. The Bible is littered with admonitions to prepare for battle, prepare for the sabbath, prepare for the coming of the Messiah, prepare for the Day of the Lord, prepare for the bride, prepare for the King, prepare for the Passover, prepare for the feasts, prepare our hearts, prepare our minds, prepare to meet our maker.....There is no doubt, God wants us to be ready.

"Rise and shine," I commanded to Asherel and the little dog, "Prepare to leave in five minutes!"
Honeybun decided I had not said the word "biscuit" and went back to sleep.

Ezekiel 38:7
"'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them."



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