Are You Ready?

It's an age old question really.  Before I married Karl, lots of people would ask me "Are you ready for married life?".  Before I had each one of my children, the question on everyone's mind was "Are you two ready for parenthood?"

It seems this question never seems to escape our everyday lives.  Even this morning, this question was posed to me at the McDonald's drive through.  I was going to meet my wonderful friend Allison in St. Joe, but before I headed down I-29, I stopped to get my unsweetened iced tea.  As I rounded the corner and stopped at the 2nd drive through window, the gal delivering my tea asked "Are you ready for Abbey's graduation?"

No matter how often I am asked the "are you ready" question, I don't know how to answer that.  In many ways I am!!  I was ready to marry Karl... I loved him (and still do) and knew I wanted to spend my life with him, so the natural next step was marriage.  But, was I really ready to be a wife?  Probably not.  But, he was patient and still is because I am still not sure I have the wife-thing down most days.  I was very ready to have my children!  Especially in the 9th, most uncomfortable month!!  But, was I really ready?  No.  But, I have the most gracious children who have given me forgiveness and mercy as I made mistake after mistake being their mom.  And as Karl and I approached our 3rd year of marriage, it seemed like a natural next step for our family of two.

Now my latest "are you ready" question ~ Abbey's graduation.  In many, many ways I am ready for her graduation.  "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not harm you" ~Jeremiah 29:11  God has AMAZING things planned for her (as He has for JD and Lily!) and I trust Him to fulfill His purpose in her life (as well as JD and Lily!).  I am ready for her to spread her wings beyond the town of Mound City and see what this world has for her.  I see the excitement in her eyes and I can say "I'm ready!"  But, there is a part of me who isn't ready.  The time has gone all too fast (as cliche' as that sounds).  When I think about her not being around everyday, I get this weird lump in my throat ;)  I'm going to miss her, but I know it is the natural next step in her life and ours.

As much as I have thought about this question today, the question of "are you ready?" goes much deeper.  It is easy to ask that question of the everyday things of life, but what about when it comes to our relationship with God and His Son?  It is easy to be consumed with the everyday that we forget the eternal.  Am I ready for the sake of eternity?  I can unashamedly say "yes".  Am I helping others be ready?  This is where I fall short.

Our salvation is the utmost importance in this life, despite getting married, having children, and watching them graduate and leave one day.  There is nothing we need to have our hearts ready for more than eternity with Him.  

When you think about getting ready for a wedding or having a baby or graduation/college, it is completely overwhelming to think of all that you have to do to prepare.  I am so incredibly grateful that Our Heavenly Father does not have a check list of things we need to accomplish before we can come to Him {you can't imagine how grateful I am!}  Instead, He takes us as we are.  Karl has always said that "God cleans His fish after He catches them."  I love that because the "me" I know is unworthy of the God of the Universe.  But His call is gentle... "come as you are... you are ready, just as you are".  

No fancy preparation, no special classes to take, no lists to make.  Just come.

So, my question to YOU is, are you ready?

LIFE'S NOT FAIR!

How many times have I heard that in my life?  Or how many times have I told my children "life's not fair!"? I know it will make them stronger to know that and to realize that hard work will pay off. 

Things have never been handed to my children.  We are NOT parents who have bought our children vehicles just because they turned 16.  They buy their own clothes (other than the big stuff that only comes around once a year like prom dresses, cap/gown, etc.)  And guess what?  They actually WORK!  Yup, they have JOBS.

So, it is hard for me as their mom, knowing how incredibly hard they work, to see things NOT happen for them after all their exhausting efforts of working 30+ hours a week and going to school; keeping up with church activities, filling out every scholorship possible, performing acts of service, etc.  Inside, I won't lie, I am screaming "LIFE'S NOT FAIR!!" 

Amidst the selfish, child-like screams of my inner child comes the voice of reason of My Heavenly Father.  He is so good to assure me "you, My child, have raised an amazing young woman {with My help} and I have great, great things planned for her!  I have given her a heart that is determined and strong.  This will only make her stronger.  She will learn to rely on Me more because of this and that is exactly where I need her to be... solely and eternally relying on Me."

The voice of My Father always brings me peace despite the harsh reality that this life isn't fair.  But, He is faithful.  And I am thankful.