(Just a note: I love this photo that David took..a simple few of beach and ocean..but if you look close you see the footprint...reminds me of that poem "Footprints in the Sand")
It's that time to start weighing out our vacation. I'm a bit excited. Last year we got a "taste" of the Outer Banks..oh my...I'm hooked. We spent two days at Myrtle Beach and then headed to the very end of the banks....Cape Lookout. It was the best part of our trip. The shells were awesome ( I'm a big shell hunter when I'm at the beach) We went in April, this year we'll go for a week in June. ( We may have to refinance our home to pay for gas!! yikes!)
When I think of the ocean and the outer banks, I think of hurricanes, too, for some reason. I have a former teacher who taught me in second grade and part of fifth grade who now lives at the beach. When a hurricane is forcasted they immediately start preparing by storing up water, boarding up windows, etc.. They never know where the storm will hit or exactly when it will hit, but they are prepared. I've heard of a few eccentric people who purposely head to the beach to see a hurricane....( what's wrong with viewing it on FOX NEWS or CNN????) and some who are told it's coming and are skeptical , wait to long, then pay the price. I don't know, if it were me I'd like to think I'd get my act together.
A storm may be brewing ahead, or you may be in one now, and you will need the strength of a living and all-powerful God.
There are many reports on preparing for the storms that are likely to come inland off the outer banks. It is important to do these things, however, preparing for the emotional and spiritual storms are even more important. What do you do when you see a trial coming your way? Maybe you are already in a trial, how are you responding? What is your first method of defense against the storms of life?
How often in our lives are we caught "off guard" when the storms of life hit?? If you are like me, many. I've learned my lesson in some ways...I'm more prepared now. See, it's not "if" they hit, but "when". Jesus says, "In the world you WILL have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!". I'm positive that's where Ephesians is heading...when it talks about "Putting on the whole armor of God"...it's about preparedness. Satan doesn't send you a registered letter saying " Dear ________, this coming Tuesday I will be shooting my fiery darts. Please be prepared for this attack".....Satan. Nope..he doesn't play fair... never has, never will..the Father of Lies too. He tries to sell us a bill of goods that says "Where is God when your troubles are upon you??" He tried to sell that to Job...but in all that Job went through he did not curse God.
I've never been a girl scout. I think my brother may have been a boy scout at one point in his childhood. I do know their motto ..."Be Prepared". That's a good motto for us as Christians too.
When is the last time you were still long enough for God to speak comfort and direction to you? Could you hear from God if He tried to speak to you? A storm may be brewing ahead, or you may be in one now and the waves are crashing all around, and you will need the strength of a living and all-powerful God.
Be prepared.
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