While involved in Emergency Disaster Services, I knew of the importance of having a contingency plan, a plan that needs to be revised and updated regularly, a flexible plan, a comprehensive plan.  This past year was a challenging year where contingency plans were put to the test. Who would have thought there would be a shortage of toilet paper… medical supplies, masks, and hand sanitizers were understandable but, toilet paper?

Personal ‘pruning’ should be part of your plan for life. Pruning is the process of cutting or removing unnecessary branches from trees or plants to grow and produce more fruits. I have noticed that in my daily living, it is beneficial to eliminate/prune attitudes, behaviors, thoughts, and even some unfinished and unattained goals and objectives so that I, like a tree, can grow and give better fruits.

Someone once told me, “Don’t take anything away unless you are willing to replace it with something of equal or greater value.”

Someone once told me, “Don’t take anything away unless you are willing to replace it with something of equal or greater value.”  After taking a close inventory, I realized there were a few things that I needed to change. I modified a few behaviors and removed some things completely. Then, I decided I needed to improve my communication with God. Do not take me wrong, I talk to God every day, but communication is not a one-way process. I needed to take time to listen to Him.

My prayer life needed an overhaul.  I became more aware of my prayer postures. Before going to bed, I end my day by prostrating myself in front of the Lord in a moment of contemplation, confession, and silence.   I still bring a list of petitions to the Lord, but now I do that at a different time during the day.

My new contingency plan includes practicing the Spiritual Disciplines daily as a way of being both pruned and nurtured.

written by Major Samuel Gonzalez, Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, USA East