This is the Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared.” I have been active in my son’s scout troop for three years now. Today we have to prepare for a canoeing and camping weekend, so I was thinking about this phrase as it relates to life. I often fall short in being prepared, in following through or in being consistently obedient in working on what is most important. Life is filled with imperfections, distractions and things that are “good” or “better” versus the thing that is “best” for me to focus on. Times of victory and struggle are part of the journey. When I feel unprepared or inadequate, I remember the verse “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). One more verse that speaks to preparation is a great encouragement to me – “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This morning I praise God for His strength and for “being prepared.”