If The Door Knocks, Be Ready To Answer

March 26, 2025

Presidential history is fascinating and we can learn deep lessons from the lies lived. No, this isn't a political post, rather one to uplift and inspire. I once read a quote from former President James Garfield, "of course I deprecate war, but if it is brought to my door the bringer will find me at home." He told this to one of his advisors.

Garfield was referencing a divided republican party and an even deeper divide in the country at the time. This in the year 18811. You can see how little has changed in 144 years. The party was coming for him and he was ready. Now, Garfield fell to a bullet in September of that year.

The lesson here is, sure, we have our ideals. What we prefer and what we don't. However, we must prepare ourselves for the opposite, which is often times what happens. So when trouble lurks and comes knocking on our front door, we must be ready to open that door at once.

We should not be surprised or taken off guard. The unexpected blow lands heaviest. Think for a moment, of all you've been through already Think of all the unexpected events that showed up in your day. Being tested will happen. Emergencies will happen. Freak accidents too. Nature acts how she pleases, and so, we must be at the ready.

As Seneca wrote, "the only inexcusable thing for a commander to could happen to say, ‘I did not think that could happen.’” Seneca was quoting Fabius, a Roman General. We are each commanders of our lives, of our families, our platoon. Be ready, at all times.