My wife and I recently had the opportunity to visit our daughter living in New Orleans. One evening, while having dinner at her home she showed us a large piece of art hanging over the fire place that had come with the house. It had a distinctive line running through the middle of it.
The bottom half being lighter color than the top half. She informed us that this was the “Katrina Line.” This was the line that marked the water level in the house with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We could not put our arms around 6 ½ feet of water from that storm. When seeing the pictures of Hurricane Helene and Milton’s recent destruction, it begs the question: If there were an emergency tomorrow, would I be ready?
A friend sent me an article they had read lately that sought to answer that question. It’s not a new question for me, I have been asking this and similar questions since the 1990’s.
The article quoted, Creek Stewart, an author of more than 40 books on survival, who says “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ such events will occur,” and expert Paul Martin who said, “Think of preparedness as an insurance policy. None of us like paying insurance premiums, but we do it in order to transfer the risk of loss.” 
The Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared,” fits very well into preparedness and being ready to face adversity which is a responsibility that each of us must accept and embrace.
The article illiterates what hundreds of other articles and books on prepping do by encouraging us to develop a plan that addresses core elements that can help us survive emergencies. Regular review and practicing of the plans with family members, updating ones’ supplies, and staying informed about the types of emergencies most likely to occur in your area, are also encouraged. We won’t be hit with hurricanes here in Minnesota, but wild fires, straight line winds, and no working electrical grid do affect us.
Yes, I believe being ready and prepared is important, but unlike many current day prepper sources, the cornerstone of any disaster plan, in order to be effective, must have our relationship with God and neighbor constantly in right order. The apparitions of our Blessed Mother over the last 200 years give us the proper priority and direction for a plan of being prepared for any emergency we face in life.
Our Lady has asked us to repent and be right with God; to go to confession on a regular basis; to change our lives to be more Christ like; to fast and pray in reparation for ours and others sins; and to pray for the conversion of Church and world leaders, especially the rosary.
While no human plan is perfect, taking proactive steps, especially being right with God and praying, can significantly improve our ability to face the unexpected. Disasters are unpredictable; preparation isn’t. Taking small steps today both spiritually and physically can give you the edge to face the unknown tomorrows.
For Reflection:
Do I worry about the future or do I trust God to provide and care for my every need, helping me to put together a plan to face future disasters? Do I seek His directions on how to prepare or do I embrace my own self sufficiency and ignore my responsibility of being prepared? Do I know the messages of the approved apparitions of the Blessed Mother? How serious do I take her warnings and directions?
Prayer:
Lord, we pray for our brothers and sisters that have experienced the ravages of Mother Nature. Meet their every need and give them hope. Help me to know what I can do to help them. Blessed Mother Mary, help me to know the directions you give for having a plan of being prepared. St. Joseph, please help me to be proactive in being prepared for the unknown.
(blogged November 1, 2024)
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