“Always be prepared” is a saying attributed to Scouting, but long before its advent Jesus told the disciples a parable about foolish maidens who ran out of oil for their lamps. I think about the parable every time I hear a report of a disaster.
Preparedness was big for a while after September 11, 2001. Public safety and personal preparedness was on our radar screen but soon lost its urgency. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards or floods always bring the issue to the front of our minds, but unless it’s actually happening to us, unless it’s in our own backyard or community, our attention to it soon fades.
People of faith must take and offer preparedness training for natural disasters and the spiritual ones that come with them. To get prepared start with these questions—
- Do you know what kinds of natural disasters your area is vulnerable to?
- What is your first line of defense?
- Do you know who to call?
- Does your family and community have an evacuation plan?
This is adapted from two blog posts written by Valora K Starr: “Always be prepared” and “Be prepared: how ready are you for a disaster?,” both of which appeared on the Women of the ELCA blog.
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