Hurricane Ian – The Refreshing of a Wild Rose

For most of the week we have heard about Hurricane Ian and how it was going to affect our state. It did make landfall this afternoon in some of the areas we lived in the low country and some places that we would drive through and visit.

It has done some damage and caused some flooding. Our youngest lives in Charleston and they chose to ride it out. This morning we ran some errands and went to lunch with a friend. We came home and turned on a weather live stream.

In the meantime, we texted with family in the area and realized they were all safe and sound. Thank you Lord! I was fascinated to see the footage of the area we lived in for several years and found I had fascination to try and see beyond what was being broadcast.

There comes a time when after watching for a few hours you begin to realize the storm is onshore, and the remnants are present. We have been in the area long enough to know that tornadoes are always a possibility and we must be prepared.

All the time watching television and looking occasionally to our outside seeing that it is just a rainy Friday for us. As I sit here writing, the rain is a gentle rain and the wind is breezy. I know several people are still dealing with the vicious part of this storm, without power and seeing flood waters rising. And, it may become worse for us later today and this evening.

I am reminded that none of this has escaped our Lord’s attention. I marvel at the power of the water and the storm surges. I see that trees are ripped up and easily tossed.

I am fascinated by this all. The power of nature, the beauty of it all also. Our God created nature and all it’s properties. He knows the wrath of the ocean, and the force of winds. He spoke storms into being. Along with this, our God sees the hearts of the people affected. He knows the hurt, the fear, the panic people experience. He knows each and every moment of a storm.

You could wonder why He doesn’t stop storms, why He doesn’t prevent loss, why He doesn’t speak to the wind and the water. It’s a valid thought in these times, Why?

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. ³⁰But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ³¹Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 16:29-31 (NKJV)

Our God sees all, knows all and has a plan for us all. He knows the number of hairs on our heads, and has counted those in our hairbrush. He has a plan for each one of us. He is aware of each bird that has fallen this week in this storm. He cares for them. We are so much more valuable than the birds of the air. He cares for you, and He has a plan for us in stormy weather and in calm.

Hurricane Ian is approaching Florida. By time this is posted, it will have already hit and started it’s damage. Many are already interceding for the people of the state of Florida. Family, and friends who are there are checking in to make certain others know they are okay for now.

Ian is close to a Cat 5 hurricane. I used to look at the coverage on the television and think how bad it was. But, in watching the news I saw people. I didn’t know them, I didn’t think about what they were going through. I did pray, but I confess it was not earnestly.

A few years ago Hurricane Michael hit the panhandle of Florida. It was a Cat 5 hurricane. Our oldest and her family evacuated and went west. They ended up finding an rental in Louisiana, I believe. They did not come to our home because the storm was eventually making it’s way to our neck of the woods.

Their home and their properties survived, but all were damaged. They thought the house they were living in at the time escaped serious damage, but, after the first night home, our daughter woke up in her bed to see the light above her filled with water. For the next several weeks they slept in the guest room and our granddaughter slept in her toyroom, two rooms that were safe enough to sleep in.

Another few weeks later, Dale and I visited our Florida kids. We were shocked to see the damage that still was present. There were no highway signs. Something I never thought about. Homes were covered in tarps because of waiting for repairs and supplies to fix roofs. Trees were mowed down in swaths. My words fail to describe.

In the immediate aftermath our daughter talked about the stench that was present. With no power, food had spoiled. Being on the Gulf of Mexico, fish is a staple in homes. Imagine the smell of rotting fish in overflowing trash cans lining the streets. Trash pick up was impossible with the trees, vehicles and parts of houses in the streets.

I am saying this to give an idea of what people are facing right now. Florida is a place filled with senior citizens, and military families. Everyone is part of someone’s family. Everyone is important to someone.

Lord, You know exactly where and when this storm is going to hit. Go ahead of the storm and prepare the route. Be in the midst of the storm providing safety and peace to those who are riding it out and in their homes and evacuation centers. Be present after the storm moves on to be the provision for people, for states, for cities. Provide what needs to be done. Amen

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 (NLT)

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