It’s good to have an emergency plan.
Like if you are afraid you might be chased by gators. This was the thinking my friend Laura and I had while walking the Orlando Wetland Park earlier this spring. Our plan constantly evolved according to available assistance (“Ok, so here we’d climb that shelter.” As though we could seriously climb a shelter) and probably would not have helped us at all, but it gave us comfort. (note: do NOT run in a zig zag pattern. That’s a myth, and a pretty silly one).
My husband’s a planner too. This spring he’s had a sign on his desk that says, “In case of emergency, read this.” It’s a list to remind himself why he is leading certain change, the reasons why it’s good. It helps him push through when people are pushing back.
It got me thinking. Emergency plans are good for more than just escaping gators.
I’ve sensed in this sabbatical how quickly my mind can travel to fearful places. Doubts creep in. My faith wavers. I get discouraged and want to give up. I’m ready to climb the shelter (even though I probably can’t climb the shelter). I’m looking for a way to run.
Friends, this is not how I want to live.
So I’ve been mentally making “in case of emergency” lists in my mind:
In case you begin to worry, remember: He loves you. He is wise, He is powerful, He is good. He’s got this.
In case you fail, remember: this is all temporal. Your value hasn’t changed. Just keep being faithful. He’s got you.
In case your kids go to the other side of the world on a mission trip, remember: He loves them more than you do. He is with them. He’s got them.
And on it goes.
We need our go to truths for the times when we need to talk ourselves off the ledges, or we are tempted to run from our circumstances. We need them to combat the stories we’re making up in our heads, to lift our eyes off the things of the world and back onto Him.
In case of emergency, remember truth. Hold on to grace. Breathe peace. Soak in His presence.When life takes us into deeper woods, there’s no need to panic. There’s a way out of this wilderness, but it takes a minute to stop and orient ourselves. He knows the way out. Remember what He would say and let that be your guide.
Related:
When You Just Have to Do One Day at a Time
Perfect timing. Thank you.
Thank you Marie!