Ready or Not…

Do you remember playing games when you were little?  One of my favorites was “Hide and Go Seek”.  The “counter” would count, usually to 50 or 100, and then, when they finished counting, they would shout out… “Ready or not, here I come!”  I remember this game, as I’m sure you do.  When my kids play, I always have to laugh when I see one of them make a quick dash to the perfect hiding spot, just a spilt second before the seeker shouts out and begins to search.  They had time to “prep” and yet, here they are, dashing for their chosen spot at the last moment. 

These words, “Ready or not, here I come!” are a warning, in this game, of what is to going to happen next.  Whether you are “ready or not”, the game is on. 

These words describe how I have been feeling about 2016.  “Happy New Year?”  More like “Ready or not, here I come!”  I think it’s because I feel like I’ve been “flung” into this year, catapulted forward without feeling “ready” at all.  Just like in the game, I’ve had time, some time to “prep” and gear up for the new year.  But, even though I did some planning and preparing, I still feel as though I need to “dash” quickly to be ready for the new “game” of life during 2016.  Uncertainty, hesitancy, fear…these are the thoughts that can make us frantic and ineffective.  And, these words describe my feelings, as 2015 ended and 2016 came about.  It was like 2016 was yelling and mocking me as we counted down on December 31^st… “5, 4, 3, 2… Ready or not, here I come”.

So, what is the answer during times of uncertainty, times of feeling hesitant or fearful?  When I feel like this, I always do my best when I pray.  So, as the year winded down I felt frantic.  But, as the year began, it was to prayer that I turned.  On January 1^st, before I got out of bed, I just stopped for a moment.  My husband was awake and had already started his coffee and newspaper.  My kids were already starting their busyness of their day, but I laid in bed and I just prayed, “Lord, I don’t feel ready for this year, but I’m ready for whatever you have for me.  I’m all about trying something new. Lord, I trust you with this day.  I trust you with this year. ”  I did not feel certain, I did not feel sure, but I did know that IF I could have the right mind, and if I would pray, then He would be with me, that God would help me in that uncertainty. 

Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the wasteland.”  He is there.  This same God who spoke through Isaiah is the same God who is with me today, as 2016 begins.   

As I put my feet on the floor and hopped out of bed after praying, I thought… “Ready or Not, Here I Come! 2016, bring it on!”

My hope, from my heart to yours, is that you too will find a chance to start off your year thinking about God’s presence with you in prayer.  Things may be going well, and you may look forward to 2016 with great anticipation.  In that, I encourage you to pray and praise God.  Or, like me, you may feel some uncertainty, and feel like you are not “ready” for 2016.  Well, God is there for you too, in prayer.  The same God, in joy or fear…the same God.  Thanks Be To God!     

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:18.

Irma Bates
Nursery Coordinator