I often say I am like my granny when it comes to receiving a last-minute invitation. If she has no other plans, you can call her and within a matter of minutes, she can get ready for lunch, a church service, a funeral, or for a trip to the mall. As a young woman, I learned that one should always have a few essential items in an effort to stay prepared for anything. A woman should have an inventory of pantyhose, a black dress, white suit, pair of black shoes with a good heel, some pearls and any other items necessary for your lifestyle or work. From my grandfather, I learned you should not go out with your shoes looking any old kind of way. Even if they were old, you needed to replace the heel and give them a good shine. Nowadays, most young women rely on magazines or Stacy and Clinton on What Not to Wear to teach these lessons on preparation.
Recently, an acquaintance sent me a text message inquiring about dinner. We had previously discussed breaking bread, but I did not think the invite would come so soon. I hate texting, but I responded and indicated that I could meet thirty minutes later than suggested. Thankfully, the other party called to confirm. I had a few hours warning, so I completed my tasks and started to consider what to wear. Just like granny, I threw an outfit together (I even ironed), pinned up my hair, dabbed on a little mid-week makeup and I was “rehd to go.” Granny’s principle was at play: always be prepared. After returning home and considering how quickly I was able to get ready for the impromptu date, I realized how so many people miss their moment or an opportunity by being unprepared.
Would you be ready if the opportunity you desired presented itself?
Would your resume be ready if your dream job posted within the next 24 hours?
Would you have a passport if you received a last-minute invite to sail the Mediterranean?
Would your business plan be ready if your personal banker called offering a new business loan with zero percent interest?
Would your soul be ready if Jesus returned today? 2 Peter 3:10 reminds us: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief...”
Would you need to primp and clean yourself up, or would you be “rehd to go”?
What has the spirit been leading you to prepare for?
Have you been told to prepare for the shifting of a season in your life?
Have you delayed preparing your children in some way?
So often, we receive spiritual text messages prompting us to get ready, yet we ignore them, erase the messages, or simply power down the device. They will not disappear, like messages in the natural, that little mailbox symbol will just sit there until you listen or read the message.
It is my prayer that as we approach this new week, we will all consider how to get our physical as well as our spiritual houses in order. I may have 40 pairs of pantyhose, but if I cannot find them, I still got problems!
Continue to walk in your blessings, pray for others, and prepare to receive the blessings that are on the way!
With Love,
Arlecia
The photo posted here was taken a few weeks ago at a banquet celebrating 90 Years of Delta Sigma Theta at the University of Iowa. This look took some planning, as I bought the dress more than a month earlier.
