The Revived Orchid

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31(NIV)

Months ago, I moved one of my nearly dead orchids from the plant stand on the patio to the oak tree behind my house. Friends placed their orchids under a tree when they left for the summer. It was worth a try since the lifeless plant looked beyond help anyway. 

            I placed it in an old macrame hanger and tied it to a large limb. The too small hanger made the already dejected looking specimen hang sideways. At least the dead leaves and crooked roots didn’t mar my patio any longer. 

            While working in my yard, I would notice the scraggly mess and think of throwing it away. But it remained. 

            As Hurricane Ian approached, potted plants went into the patio and lined the wall. I felt sorry for the excluded orchid so I attempted to take it down. However, the knot refused to loosen and I didn’t want to stop to get scissors so the hanger and plant remained outside.

            Three weeks after the storm, from the house I noticed yellow leaves on the poor plant. When I went outside to pluck them, the reality astonished me. Instead of three dead leaves, three gorgeous, yellow blooms smiled at me. 

            Not only did the orchid survive the gales and torrents of the hurricane for hours and hours but it flourished. What a beautiful example of God’s love and care. 

            When we face our own storms and feel there is no hope, God doesn’t give up on us. He can take the broken pieces and create something beautiful that we never imagined. 

            As people around Florida struggle to rebuild and repair the physical damage from the hurricane, God is working to repair their lives. To give hope, encouragement and purpose for discouraged souls. 

Abba Father, you are with us even in our distress. You take the effects of our storms and make them into something worthwhile. Thank you for always loving us. 

Amen

Shifting Sands

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:10-13 (NIV)

 

When hurricane Ian charged across Florida, the storm churned waters of the Atlantic along the east coast. Sand shifted onto streets, walkways and lawns. Steps to the shore were covered and mounds remained far from the water. 

            Wind and water altered the shape of the beach. Ian left a darker, heavier sand filled with shell fragments which covered the normally smooth surface. 

            A leisurely stroll on the beach before the hurricane would have left light footprints. However, walking after Ian was much different. It took longer to even get to the beach because some entrances were closed. Layers of sand covered walkways. 

            Each step into the dense sand left deep imprints. With every stride, I sank my heel down further than normal to steady myself. The walk along the water reminded me of winter in Indiana after a heavy snow. Each step deliberate and rather slow. 

Trails from beachgoers looked like large animals had crisscrossed the shoreline. The mile long hike felt much longer because of the difficult steps. 

            All across Florida, people are dealing with the effects of Ian. Some minor with only a few sticks to pick up. In nearby areas, flooding continues and its aftermath evident. An untold number of people face loss of loved ones, homes, and businesses. Grief and anxiety abound. 

            My walk on the beach reminded me that we all face times where storms strike and life knocks us around. We struggle to tramp through the mess. But in the midst of the battles, we can find hope. 

Neighbors and strangers reach out to those in distress. Even those who have lost much help out. 

The church has an opportunity to love like Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, come to us in our storms. Give us strength to endure and to help others. Amen

 

Courage Not Fear in the Storm

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever,For in Yah, the Lord, is ^[b]everlasting strength.

Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJV)

Through a break in the trees, a beam of sunlight glowed from shore to shore on the dark lake. In the cool dawn, little clouds formed over the water and swirled along the light. 

            As the sun traveled toward the tree tops, an arc of sunbeams joined the dancing mist. The unusual phenomenon captured my attention. 

            Dewdrops glittered on my flowers. Overhead wispy white clouds painted an azure sky. After days of gray clouds, I stared at the gorgeous spectacle. 

            Then the sun exposed another surprise. An expansive spider web hung from the lower limbs of a tall bald cypress standing on the shore. When I walked across the water-logged lawn, the grass squished with each step. One day earlier, that area had been part of the lake.  

            What an incredible sight! For days constant winds lashed limbs back and forth. Unrelenting rain hammered our state, as the gigantic hurricane inched its way to the north. Despite ferocious weather, the spider web clutched tightly. 

            The intricate design had several holes but the form remained intact. Strong threads held it securely at the top and bottom. Later in the day, I saw a black and orange spider nestled within the web. 

            In the aftermath of the disastrous hurricane, what do we attach ourselves to? For many people, material possessions vanished or were damaged. Loved ones gone. Homes lost. Cars totaled. Prized belongings destroyed. 

            Everyone, those who endured the storm and those who worried about us, suffered in some way. Perhaps worldly goods remained intact but anxiety, fear, or apprehension took over. Uncertainty about the future brought trepidation. 

            If God can create spiders who form unyielding webs, He can make strong, courageous people to withstand the storms of life. It isn’t easy but possible with Jesus. 

Loving Father, thank you for being with us in our storms. Some come from the weather. Others come from difficult situations around us and also from within. However, You give us peace and strength for whatever we face. Amen