Being prepared

Yesterday my husband and I raked and bagged the pine needles that were on the lawn and patio and generally got ready for winter by putting in storage some of the patio furniture. etc.   The day was a beautiful, warm fall day and I even had the thought we may be a bit premature in preparing for winter. Not so, not so, as today we woke up to a light snow that soon became a big snow storm!  As I sit here writing, I am thinking it is always good to prepare ahead of time for most things.  We prepare ahead of time for a trip, holiday meals, parties, weddings, babies, reunions, special gatherings, etc. One thing we don't prepare ahead of time is an unexpected death in the family. It is a shock like none other when a healthy, young person dies suddenly.  Everyone close to the deceased can hardly take it all in and are struck with a grief they didn't know was possible. Questions abound why would this person with so much talent and potential die so young?  None of us know when our time to leave this earthly existence will be, so be prepared is a good way to live each day that we do have.  How do I prepare you may ask yourself?  I like to think that living each day as though it may be my last day is a good way to start and by that I mean: 1.Start and end my day talking to the Lord.  2. Follow his commandments that he has given me in scripture.  3. Make sure that the Lord is truly my Lord and Savior and first in my life. There are many other things one can do to be prepared,  but for me these three simple steps give me peace knowing that I am ready and prepared ahead of time.