Going Through the Storm

      Since moving to Florida 43 years ago, we have lived through seven hurricanes and one small tornado which took out our pole barn.  We had to evacuate an island vacation destination overnight for one storm, and the other six we remained at home hunkered down to ride it out.  Even though we live inland, storms the size of hurricanes can effect a wide swath of territory and when the storm comes over the middle section of the state as it did with at least four of the storms, it can cause a lot of damage.  Days without power (ten days in Florida heat with Irma...five with Ian), trees stripped bare of their leaves, downed lines, missing roof shingles and in some lower areas, flooding, are all part of the storm's fury not to mention winds that can reach over 100 mph.  We don't have storm surge in our area, but we do often have gas shortages as people hurry to fill up gas containers to run generators.  Then, of course, we return to the basics of easy meals on a camp stove to keep us fed until we get our power back.  In our case, we traded northern blizzards for Southern hurricanes; however storms make us look at life very differently whether they are the result of nature or the difficulties we face in walking in this fallen world.

     Storms really can give us a new perspective on life.  As I sat here in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, I really did not care about the world of politics, what college football team was playing or anything else

Our camp stove has been through five storms.

going on in the world just then.  I was just glad that we still had our roof, our house was sound, we were alive and so was our family.  When we go through a storm, our thinking shifts to what really matters most in life.  Ask anyone who survived on Sanibel Island or Ft Myers Beach and they will tell us that they are just happy to be alive.

     This is just one reason why I believe storms come into our life.  They help us refocus on the Lord because He is the only One who can bring us through.  We spent time praying, reading the Word, and having rich discussions.  There was no screen time without internet and no television either which in many ways was refreshing.  Our generator provided the basics in living keeping our food cold, and at night, our fans running so we could sleep.  In some ways, it was much like glorified camping, but it brings us closer to the things that really matter in life.

     Another lesson learned in this storm is the ability we have to serve and help each other.  The help from linemen, first responders and neighbors was truly amazing.  We had over 42,000 linemen ready to help power up Florida following this storm.  They were heroes to those of us living without power.  Offers of help with food, water and debris clean up has been a rich blessing as well.  Neighbors helping neighbors gives a great opportunity to share the love of Christ with others.

     A scripture came to mind that really seemed to summarize it all.  It's found in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  " So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."  This is what storms do in our lives.  They refocus us on what is most important and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Whether it is a physical storm like Hurricane Ian or the pain of loss in losing a loved one, God walks with us through the storm.  In these moments, the small troubles of our daily lives pale in comparison with the things that really matter.  As we draw nearer to God, He draws nearer to us as well.  Storms will come and storms will go but the love of God will never leave us alone.  Selah!