I really like my job.  I work as a nurse at a surgical center where most all of our patients come in for cataract surgery.  My hours are contingent.  That means that I work when they need me, and that can mean one day a week or up to five days a week.  The work schedule is made up months ahead of time, so I usually have no problems with scheduling conflicts.  However, the schedule changes often.  Every day that I go into work, I always check and recheck the schedule for changes and cancellations.  The surgical center was closed the whole week of the Fourth of July.  But I knew that I was on the schedule this week for Wednesday.  Today is Tuesday.

I had just finished the last sip of my first morning cup of coffee while watching the morning news on TV when my phone rang.  It was seven in the morning.  “Laurel, honey, you’re supposed to be here at work!” said the voice on the other end.

BANG!

Laurel was off and running!

I think it took me all of ten minutes to throw on some clothes, put my hair in a ponytail, grab a breakfast bar to eat on the way for breakfast, grab a banana for lunch, and a self-indulgent four minutes was spent on applying the bare minimum make-up to make my face look fresh and awake.  Dashing out the door, I flew to work in my Ford Windstar!  What really helped was the fact that I keep my ‘work bag’ packed and in the car.  It holds my work shoes, socks, pens, and the key to get in the back employee entrance door.  I got there in plenty of time and worked nonstop until we discharged our last patient at one-fifteen in the afternoon.

So, I was thinking on the drive home from work today …

My last minute call to work was kind of like what firemen have to do.  They must dash with short notice to an emergency which means being prepared is the key to getting there in time.  I’m glad I don’t have to work like that every day!  But the ‘being prepared’ part is a pretty good idea to practice.  The bag I had packed and in the van cut critical minutes off my getting ready time.

As Christians, we need to be ready every day to meet Jesus.  Whether it will be because He has called us home, or Christ himself has made His return to earth – we must be ready.

Matthew 24:42, 44 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Should we have our bags packed?  Ha-ha.  I think not.  But we must strive to keep living for Christ – seeking His will and His way.  Run the race!  Keep your eye on the goal!  When He calls – you aren’t going to have ten minutes to get ready, let alone four minutes to put on your makeup.

Are you ready?

just Laurel