It has been a long, long week.
I was telling someone close to me who hasn’t lived in Florida or experienced a hurricane, that the hardest part is the mental fatigue. You hear about the storm, you casually think about the storm, it gets closer, you think about storm prep, and then they release approximately 500 scenarios all of which you need to have a plan for. And then it shifts and suddenly plan #501 is the actual plan. At that point you spend every spare moment (while trying to work ahead in case you lose power) executing the plan. You move through that plan in double-time. Because the clock is now ticking.
This all happens before the storm arrives.
Of course, the actual storm is out of your control, but it is generally not pleasant to go through. I mean you have snacks (if your kids haven’t found them while you were busy executing the plan) but still, as big weather moves toward you and over you it is all kinds of stressful.
And then, as luck has it, the big weather is overnight. So sleep is not really possible unless you sleep like the dead which this mom has never done.
Now with the mental fatigue you have real physical fatigue.
When I got up at 6 am or so, there was a river where my road used to be. And by river, I mean it had waves moving it toward our home. And it kept getting closer. So close we woke our kids and said, “Pack a bag.” I also drank coffee. Which was hot because even though I had planned for it, we did not lose electricity. You should know, we live in an urban area. We don’t have a lake or a big body of water near us. We do have an overflow canal that apparently overflowed.
What happened next is really grace. And God saying, “Nope. That is far enough.” And the water went backwards down the street and to who knows where.
So, I’m tired. My whole body hurts. But I’m so grateful. And aware that the wind and waves truly obey his voice.
Many others have been devastated by this massive storm. It is real. And they have had it much harder than my family has had it this week. I heard the weatherman say, “Hurricanes have a real purpose. They take a great deal of heat from the ocean and transfer it to the atmosphere.” But I’m thinking, the real purpose is to remind us that kind of power only belongs to God.
Pray for Southwest Florida where Ian powered through. Pray for Central Florida flooding and our friends who are scattered—many without power and pray for the east coast we love so much that has been hammered.
God is with us. He never left us.
Looking Forward,
Stacey
Alaska is praying for you. You are so right when you speak about the nature of storms. It is the perfect way to be reminded that we serve a great big God who will be beside us no matter what happens with our weather, health, kids, finances, relationships and beyond. Hang in there, mama. He will not leave you.
Thank you Rebecca. After the storm, this past week the weather has been “at peace.” I don’t know how else to describe it. It has been beautiful. There is surely a metaphor there as well!
My hubby was home in Naples while I’m up in MN babysitting. Ian wasn’t a thing before I left so he had to get ready by himself. Fortunately we live on a golf course and not near the beach so the flooding wasn’t a problem. He lost power for about 24 hours. Hopefully I will be able to fly home on Tuesday. I’m heartbroken looking at all the videos… it will take some time for the area to come back from this.
I had just spent a weekend at a Woman’s conference (TW22-NancyDeMossWolgemuth) where the theme was Heaven Rules. It was based on the book of Daniel. I love the quote you have hanging in the picture above!! He is still on the throne, and Jesus is near.
Oh Karen! That is crazy that you were not home and unable to get there. That happened to us once when my husband was away overseas when a hurricane came through. I’m trusting you are home and well by now and that God took care. But I’m sure that was hard on you.
And yes. heaven rules. I’m so grateful.
Hurricane Ida went almost directly over us in southeast Louisiana last year, and I can absolutely relate. God used the storm to grow my kids and bring our family together. As terrible as it was, I can see how God used it in my own family, neighborhood, and even beyond. I pray God gives you rest and encouragement after the storm.
Thank you Amy. God uses everything doesn’t he? He is a good, good Father.
How we thank God for His hand on the many people we know and love in Florida. Our ladies were sharing who we know in the path of the storm. Not one of those was injured or swamped! Including you and your family! My cousin stayed put to keep her many cats and turtle “safe.” We heard from all our ladies, and everyone’s family was protected. How grateful we are!
We in North Vernon are excited that you’re coming in December, Stacey! We’ll be praying for your speaking engagements.
Thank you Carolyn! I am equally excited about coming home in December.
On the prayer note, my girls are convinced their grandma was praying hard during the storm! Thank you for joining her in that ministry. He did take care of us! Of course he did!
Your thoughts are mine. I have a relative that doesn’t live here that cannot understand these feelings we have. We do live on the water and have experienced redoing our overflow home (downsized next to it) 3 times due to OVERFLOW from storm surge twice and historic rain another time. We thought we were safe living on a creek that goes out to the bay to the gulf, NOT! Concerns for the survivors in Florida and what they are now dealing with which we know is CHALLENGING. Prayers for the families of the ones who didn’t survive.
Teresa I’ll bet your home is lovely and peaceful on normal days. You know, everyone has something to deal with. And honestly though we have had several storms, this one is the biggest since Charlie 18 years ago. And that rain was unbelievable. I saw the totals yesterday and I think we had around 15 inches in 24 hours. I just can’t even fathom it and I was HERE! No wonder the waters rose. We don’t even live on water and it flooded. So, you can’t really predict it.
Praying you are well my friend!