Prepared

This year, all year long, whenever I saw something I thought someone on my Christmas list would like, I bought it. So now, with a month to go till Christmas, every gift is purchased. There will not be any major end of year slam on our VISA, which is an incredible blessing. Today, I spent the morning wrapping the gifts, with varying pretty paper, but all tied with a silver sparkly ribbon to bring a cohesive look to the whole ensemble. Since I have no little children whom I need to surprise with a treeful of gifts miraculously appearing Christmas morning, I put all the wrapped gifts under the tree right away. I decorated the tree yesterday, so now it was complete. Then I sat down with a cup of tea, turned on the Christmas lights, and sighed happily. Let the festivities begin.

Of course, I do still have to make my Christmas cards, and bake cookies, but the most stressful part of the holiday is now done. I have a whole month to just relax and enjoy it, and remember the wonderful reason for the season. I know some people might consider me neurotic, and I am...However, we ARE told again and again in the Bible to be ready, to be prepared, to not let the Master find us sleeping when we should be working. Those verses are right in my wheelhouse. Since so much of the Bible convicts me of how miserably I fall short, I am going to take a breather from self-flagellation and sit in front of my tree, and praise God for the blessing of being ready.

Of course, the readiness of the Bible is one of being ready for the coming of The Lord. He will come again, and woe to those of us caught unawares, living a life and an attitude we know we should discard. At the moment He appears, we will either be found in eager anticipation or dread of His arrival. Here is a pop quiz to help you know which camp you are in:
1. If you eagerly await His arrival, you are probably ready
2. If you still need a few more days, you are probably not.

I sit in front of my beautiful Christmas tree, in anticipation of the celebration of His first coming. May I be equally prepared when He comes to claim the Kingdom He asked us to transform in His absence, especially the one part of it I have control over...me.

Ephesians 6:15 (NIV)
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NIV)
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

-save a dog- hollowcreekfarm.org