Prepared, A Godly Attribute

Warren (my nephew) asked his blog readers "who's your mentor/made an impact on your life?" Here's last week's influence:

Last Week my brother Todd, his co-worker Nate, and Nate's wife Dulcey (whom I absolutely LOVE) visited the Shanghai Calton Inn for a week.

Nate came in a close second to my Brother's influence on me "this last week" (last week--so we don't forget the influential people in my life every other week).

Todd gave Nate a nickname of a Greek God, suited for someone who is always prepared. Forgot the name, but I remember the characteristics that fit the name. Here are some Nate scenarios that add to his "always prepared" Greek God title:

1. I go to pick up Nate & Dulcey at the Knock-Off market, and we stop by the neighboring Science Center for a movie. I didn't bring my purse when I went in. Nate, with easy confidence says "You see, I would've been prepared. I would have first thought of every possibility that would arise in that circumstance, and would've had the passes on me". I spat excuses out, annoyed at how right he was.

2. Todd, who left China one day earlier then Nate and Dulcey was packing and I mention "Todd, if your wife wants anything else after you get home, we can swing by the knock off market again before Nate & Dulcey fly back that morning". Nate politely puts up his hands and says "If I'm not fully ready that morning, I simply won't do it. I am not a late person." Mind you, Nate and Dulcey are VERY service oriented, but he knew the limitations to upholding his Greek title.

If Nate had a motto, it would say: No room for uncertainties, be fully equip and ready for action well in advance. Let go of anything that distracts from being prepared.

So here's to you Nate, one of my influential people last week. You and your Greek one liners. While they are natural to you, I am going to give it a go. Here's what I did Saturday night:

1. I reviewed my primary lesson for church, and packed a bag of visual aids.
2. I remembered it was Mother's Day the next day, and I made note of what time to call the 3 motherly figures in our lives.
3. I worked on my family home evening packets.
4. I packed my church bag with everything from cheerios, to books to return to friends, to a gift for another friend.
5. If the boys weren't asleep, I would've laid their church clothes out.

And I LOVED SUNDAY!!! Sunday went so smoothly and calmly. We even gave someone a ride home from church. When the kids were hungry, we whipped out the snacks from our packed bag. My lesson was a hit with the youngsters, with printed out visual aids, and cards for them to give to their moms. I was on my A game.

Today's Monday. I cleared my schedule of all the crazy temptations (like blogging for more than 15 minutes), and focused on being prepared for what's next, and what's most important.

This is going to be my Mid-Year goal (June): to be prepared...

I think I'll start in May. Just to be prepared.

Thanks Todd for the business tips, and healthy influence you've always been on us all, thanks Dulcey for bonding Jeans shopping and for reading Twilight for me, and Nate for being a Greek God.