Be Prepared–Time is of the Essence

Mom had Alzheimer’s for ten years before she passed. She engaged very little and was confined to a wheelchair. When I went to visit, the question was whether or not Mom would be “home.” Most of the time she wasn’t.

Once it was just the two of us in the living room of my childhood home. Out of the blue she spoke: “I was walking down a road and came up to a door. The door opened, and there He stood, just as big as life.”

“Who, Mom?” I asked.

“Well, God. Who do you think?”

That was during a period of time in my life when I was afraid of God . . . certain He did not love me and that I brought Him great displeasure. “Were you afraid?”

“Well, no. Should I have been?” And then she said no more.

Every person now alive is one step away from the door opening that leads into God’s presence and eternity. No one is exempt, including me.

Not all of humankind is given the time to be prepared for the next life–the truly important life. Take advantage of the time you are being given. Ask Him to prepare you to meet Him. Only He can do that.

God is faithful.

Prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12

On Ghost Wrestling

ghost wrestling: n. a phenomenon; a wrestling match that takes place in the mind. While not a physical one-on-one interaction, the bout typically involves another person, either someone personally known or, in these volatile times, a figurehead.

Coming from a place of frustration, anger, or even hate, the battle may be due to differences in a personal position, such as right vs. wrong, my way vs. your way. Relationship issues or an unpleasant encounter in daily life may also set the stage for a mental fight.

While grappling with nothing more than air, this exercise in futility expends a great deal of time and energy. One can become quite exhausted and drained–mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Ghost wrestling will wear a person out, rendering one hampered for the basic endeavors in daily life.

How to use the word in a sentence: Robert woke up exhausted after a night of ghost wrestling with his former wife over details pertaining to their children.

Stop. Life gives us a limited amount of time. Don’t waste it wrestling with a ghost. You will never, ever win. Never.

Use your time on something worthwhile–a walk in the fresh air, visiting with family and friends . . . or considering your mortality and its consequences.

Note: Author’s word choice and definition