February 11, 1994, was a day that I will always remember. I was six months pregnant, driving home alone in a blizzard of snow and ice.
Driving 40 miles took me several hours and ended with my car getting stuck in the ice and me walking the rest of the way home in the dark. By the next morning, we were without power and water for 2 weeks. By the time that things were back to normal, I had a new appreciation for the pioneer life. Fast forward 2 years later to February 1, 1996.
Most people forget this day in light of the 94’ Storm.
I was just days away from delivering my son when we had yet another ice storm that wreaked havoc across the south. This time I made sure that I had gas in the car, warm blankets, food and water. It was much easier to endure, although we dealt with the same problems of no electricity or water.
Thank goodness that everything was restored quicker the second time.
So, when we started to hear reports of a storm coming that was going to look like what we had been through before, I recalled a few things that I knew would make it easier for us to wait out the storm and the days that followed.
Not everyone in my family shared the same urgency as I did. “Babe, this isn’t going to be like “The Day After Tomorrow” movie where it’s a giant snow apocalypse! It’s going to be fine. Don’t over-do it.”
Of course I didn’t listen. I bought extra food, some water, and other supplies, washed all the laundry, got the blankets ready and fussed until someone finally “got on the ball” and took care of things on the outside of the house.
My response? “I think you are wrong. And if I turn out to be right, you’re going to thank me!” Well, well, well. Someone mark it down on the calendar that on this date in history, I was right!
And even more importantly, I was prepared.
In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, (and us today as well) about the signs of the end times. He tells them, “… keep on watching, because you don’t know on what day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this: if the owner of the house had known when during the night the thief would be coming, he would have stayed awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. So, you, too, must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you are not expecting.”
Jesus is telling the disciples to BE PREPARED!
So how as Christians do we prepare for the coming of Jesus?
First of all, we need to recognize the biblical signs that point to the coming of Jesus. (Romans 13:11) Know and understand that we are closer today to Christ’s return than ever before.
We need to stay vigilant in living according to the commands and will of God, so that our hearts and minds are always ready for His return. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)
And then we need to make it our personal mission to share the gospel with those who are lost and encourage those in the faith. (Hebrews 10:25 & Mark 16:15)
Acknowledge that Christ is coming, live like He is coming, and help others to prepare for His coming. Literally plan for “the day after tomorrow” for it very well may be tomorrow.
“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns…” (Luke 12:35-38)
Dawn Hayes is mother of four, grandmother to three and she and her husband pastor at New Hope Assembly of God in Senatobia. She has been writing “Sips from the Well” since 2015.
