#42 - LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH HURRICANE IRMA

I apologize for the delay in posting.  However, for my local Sebring friends, you know what we’ve been up to around here.   For those of you in other areas.  The weekend of Sept 10^th, brought Hurricane Irma to Florida.  We went a week without electricity and the internet just came back on.  I hope to now get back into my regular routine of writing and posting.

First, let me say a few words about this storm.  Our Governor said this county, Highlands, was the second worst hit by the storm, second in the state only to the Keys.

We decided to wait out the storm here in my parents’ house.  That night, the winds were so strong (around 80MPH/130KPH) according to some sources, of course, gusting higher than that.  It sounded to me like a freight train going by against the house.  My mom described it as a 747 sitting on the roof about to take off.  However, you describe it, it was loud.

Now the next couple of paragraphs are going to sound like I’m feeling sorry for myself and want your pity.  The truth is, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, but God wanted to teach me something, so, don’t feel sorry for me.  I just want to be open and share this experience with you and what I learned, at least some of it. 

Lesson one - I don’t like hurricanes!

Lesson two – Do what you can.  During the prep time before and the cleanup after, I really felt quite useless.  Here is my 77-year-old dad and close to that mom, but I won’t say exactly how old, not appropriate to announce publicly, outside putting stuff away, tying things down, moving stuff to safer places, etc., both here and at my place.  Then after the storm the cleanup and temporary repairs, waiting in line 4 hours for fuel for the generator.  People in my county and at my church were helping each other out.  I could do nothing.  I mentioned the way I was feeling to my brother Doug.  Through his words, the words of others and some Scripture I read, I was reminded that though I would have preferred to be out there picking up debris and making repairs at the different places, and supporting my community and church family.  The one greater thing I could do is get on my knees.  Now I say that figuratively.  The last time I got on my knees I had to call my 70+ year-old-parents to come help me up.  I was stuck on the floor, on one knee.  What 40-year-old wants to do that?  I’m so glad that “on your knees” is a position of the heart, not a physical position of the body.  So, what do you pray for?  Anything/anyone you can think of.  I love the fact my church has a church directory that I can access on my phone.  That’s another great place to take your prayers.  This will not only put prayer out there for those who need it, but it also works to get your mind and heart on others, where it belongs.

Lesson Three - God is still good, no matter what.

Now I want to be careful with what I say here.  There are some in this county who lost everything.  As we drove around the day after the storm.  One house would be relatively untouched, the next entirely destroyed.  So, I’ll just put it this way. Yes, there was damage here at my parents’ and to my house and we are both dealing with insurance companies and organizing repairmen, but it could certainly have been worse.  We are alive, still have a roof overhead, food to eat, etc.

I like what one pastor here said.  Whether you lost everything or just had minor damage, God is still good.

I want to add one more thing here, while we were sitting at my house one afternoon, still waiting for the electricity to return, I looked over at my piano and was reminded of a time my niece, Mary, stayed with me in Kenya for a few weeks before her parents returned from their furlough in the states.  Anyway, we were used to power outages there.  When the power would go off, I would go over and play the piano.  It seemed about 9/10 times, as soon as I started, the power would come back on.  We laughed and when the power would go off she would remind me or I would go over and start playing.  Sometimes it came back on, sometimes it wouldn’t.  But at least our frustration would disappear for a while.

LATEST MEDICAL NEWS:

• Started Optune by Novocure the Friday before Hurricane Irma hit Florida.  That will be a blog entry on its own coming soon.  In the meantime, just pray it does its job and that I can adjust to the device.
• Next MRI – Oct 26

 PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Continued cleanup and restoration efforts around Sebring and Highlands County.
• Strength for family during this process while still helping me with my medical care and therapy.

Here is a song that seems appropriate not only for journeys in life like mine, but also events of the last couple of weeks.

"Eye of The Storm"

By Ryan Stevenson

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
And in the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

When the solid ground is falling out from underneath my feet
Between the black skies, and my red eyes, I can barely see
When I realize I've been sold out by my friends and my family
I can feel the rain reminding me

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

When my hopes and dreams are far from me, and I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache are pouring down my face
I find my peace in Jesus' name

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

When the test comes in and the doctor says I've only got a few months left
It's like a bitter pill I'm swallowing; I can barely take a breath
And when addiction steals my baby girl, and there's nothing I can do
My only hope is to trust You
I trust You, Lord

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

In the eye of the storm, You remain in control
In the middle of the war, You guard my soul
You alone are the anchor, when my sails are torn
Your love surrounds me in the eye of the storm

I know You're watching me,

When the storm is raging
And my hope is gone
Even when my flesh is failing
You're still holding on,

The Lord is my Shepherd
I have all that I need
He lets me rest in green meadows
He leads me beside peaceful streams
He renews my strength
He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His Name
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid
For You are close beside me