I love the month of March. It is the manifestation of all the preparation and colorful rebirth of nature--plants, leaves, flowers, and grass. It shows that nature’s preparation for spring is never in vain. In recent times, I’ve been thinking a lot about the process and reward of preparation and what the words “good luck” have to do with it.

Although there are many Biblical analogies I can refer to, I’ll stick with my two favorites. Was it luck that delivered Esther into the king’s presence and heart? Did Saul of Tarsus automatically become anointed and fearless after he encountered Jesus on the way to Damascus? If we look at the answers to these questions, we will see that good luck had nothing to do with their fate.

The bottom line is that good luck is not something that just happens--it is the point when opportunity meets preparation. The story below is an example of what can happen when one is prepared.

A dear relative of mine is a manager of one of the big retail stores. He always has on sharp clothes and a very nice pair of shoes most times I see him. When I compliment him, he is always quick to remind me that his manner of dress is in anticipation of the next level. He once said that any time there is a great sale on designer clothes, he buys classic white shirts, ties, and suits and keeps them for “the powerful business meetings he will attend as a successful business owner at the appointed time.”

One day, I asked him how he got this revelation, and his answer blew my mind. He said not too long ago, he attended a trade fair with a cousin and a friend of his who I will call Gary for privacy’s sake. They were looking to see if they’d come across a good business opportunity. As they walked around, Gary spotted a booth with a product that interested him. Unknown to my relative and his cousin, Gary was more than prepared for an encounter like this. For months, he had been researching, making calls, dreaming, and talking to people.

When he got to the booth in question, he was fortunate to meet the president of the company, who was visiting the booth for a few minutes. He seized the moment and pitched a proposal to the president and backed it with a phone call to a foreign government official that needed the company’s product. To cut a very interesting story short, the president of the company was impressed and interested and did not waste time in asking Gary if he would be their international representative. Gary accepted the offer, and in less than 48 hours he was flying in a private jet with top company officials to seal a deal that changed the story of his life for the better. Gary was at the right place at the right time on a platform of preparedness. This testimony signaled the “Aha” moment that changed my relative’s perspective on positioning oneself.

How you see yourself and whatever you’re passing through matters. Are you focused on what is before you or on what you cannot see physically but are hoping for? Stop watching till it happens; start preparing for tomorrow today.

Ray Huffines, the subject of our cover story, started preparing at an early age to continue the family auto business. Read about his journey as well as other interesting stories from our talented writers. On behalf of the MannaEXPRESS team, have a wonderful Easter and continue to be prepared.

May Olusola is the publisher of MannaEXPRESS.