My 3-year-old daughter likes to be ready. I was reminded of this several times when I reached into my pocket today for my phone. There were two things in that particular pocket today, my phone, and a peanut - whole and in the shell. The reason I had a peanut in my pocket all day was not in case I got a wee bit peckish, but just in case we saw a hungry squirrel. My daughter had one, and I had one, and there was an extra satchel of nuts in the car "just in case we ran out" after we ran into a REALLY hungry squirrel.
She's not just ready to feed squirrels, she's ready to see her daddy. He's working elsewhere for 8 weeks and we're joining him after the first 3 weeks. The day after daddy left on the plane, I came home to find her bag packed and in the living room by the door. I used up all my best persuasion tactics convincing her that the suitcase should be in her room, and there were no tactics left to persuade her to unpack it. Nevermind that she's only packed toys, a book, lip gloss, her scissors, a pair of socks, and a pair of shoes, she's Ready to see daddy.
Every time I see that suitcase (or feel the peanut beside my phone), I ponder what it means to be ready. Am I ready for adventure, ready for good surprises (like a famished squirrel), or even - am I ready for Jesus to return to earth? Do I have my spiritual bag packed and by the door?
I started this blog to talk about raising children, and I think one of the best things about having children is how many things they can teach us. Jesus said to have a child-like heart, and I think in this case I need to make my heart more like my daughter's - suitcase packed with my favorite things, ready to see my Daddy.
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Update: This morning I was just getting ready to head out the door when my daughter spotted Mr. Hungry Squirrel on our porch digging in our flower pot for a nut he buried a few weeks ago. I whipped out my handy peanut and got hers out of yesterdays pants and we were able to feed him many, many peanuts. Guess it pays to be ready. :)
