Be Prepared
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2
It was a call that I have often feared; a call that many family members of firefighters, police, military and other people who put their lives in harm's way receive daily. Sunday it was my turn. There had been an accident and my son was in the emergency room in a hospital in the Twin Cities. My pulse immediately started beating fast and I was nervous.
As a family member of someone who serves the community in the area of law enforcement and also firefighting, I can tell you that it's always in the back of my mind that one of my loved ones might be injured, possibly mortally. I always wondered how I would handle the situation if I ever faced it. I remember many years ago hearing about a shooting where my son was working as a security guard. I remember immense gratitude that he hadn't been injured. A lot of people will tell you that when faced with any kind of drama that I "fall apart." This time, however, I returned the call to the official and I waited. Now let me assure you that waiting is not usually something I like to do, this time I prayed to the Lord, told my husband the situation and I waited. When I learned his condition, I remained where I was, trusting that the doctors and nurses ministering to my son would handle things right. I live an hour and a half away from the hospital and would not have arrived quick enough to assist in any immediate decisions.
Many times in life we all face moments that make or break us as Christians. We all have things that we encounter and how we handle them make all the difference in the world to us and to those around us. Though Paul is telling Timothy in the passage above to be prepared to teach the Word in every situation, I believe he is also telling us to be prepared in whatever we should encounter in our lives and to share these truths with others. The company that I work for routinely has various emergency drills that we participate in with our clients so that we are prepared for whatever disaster might happen. We as Christians also need to be prepared because let's face it, people are watching.
It was a call that I have often feared; a call that many family members of firefighters, police, military and other people who put their lives in harm's way receive daily. Sunday it was my turn. There had been an accident and my son was in the emergency room in a hospital in the Twin Cities. My pulse immediately started beating fast and I was nervous.
As a family member of someone who serves the community in the area of law enforcement and also firefighting, I can tell you that it's always in the back of my mind that one of my loved ones might be injured, possibly mortally. I always wondered how I would handle the situation if I ever faced it. I remember many years ago hearing about a shooting where my son was working as a security guard. I remember immense gratitude that he hadn't been injured. A lot of people will tell you that when faced with any kind of drama that I "fall apart." This time, however, I returned the call to the official and I waited. Now let me assure you that waiting is not usually something I like to do, this time I prayed to the Lord, told my husband the situation and I waited. When I learned his condition, I remained where I was, trusting that the doctors and nurses ministering to my son would handle things right. I live an hour and a half away from the hospital and would not have arrived quick enough to assist in any immediate decisions.
Many times in life we all face moments that make or break us as Christians. We all have things that we encounter and how we handle them make all the difference in the world to us and to those around us. Though Paul is telling Timothy in the passage above to be prepared to teach the Word in every situation, I believe he is also telling us to be prepared in whatever we should encounter in our lives and to share these truths with others. The company that I work for routinely has various emergency drills that we participate in with our clients so that we are prepared for whatever disaster might happen. We as Christians also need to be prepared because let's face it, people are watching.
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteSo glad that your situation turned out for good. Being prepared is important, and more so, spiritually prepared, so that when times of trial come, we can effectively minister to others using God's Word and principles. When they observe your reaction to such things, we have the opportunity to share where our strength and wisdom come from - namely, Jesus Christ. Make the most of every difficulty, and turn it into a "teachable moment" for God's Glory... Thanks for sharing your insights.
Kathy...I'm relieved to hear that your son is okay. You set a fine example of what to do in a crisis situation! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's such a scary time when something like that occurs. Praying is certainly the best first response, and the Lord does seem to give you what you need to get through the emergency. Glad you received the help you needed and were able to bear the waiting. Thanks for sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteAmen, May God continue to prepare us.
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