He giveth power to the
faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the
Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they
shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isaiah 29-31 KJV)
As hurricane Matthew headed for
Florida, news reports concerned me. When I left home for a retreat in Kentucky,
he was far away with an uncertain path. Only after seeing the news did I see
the massive storm headed to my area.
Each year forecasters predict
numerous destructive storms but normally they don’t come to Central Florida.
Matthew appeared to be different.
Text messages went to my family
members and neighbors. Back and forth texts kept me informed but still
concerned. Wonderful neighbors secured my home. My brother in South Florida was
affected first and sustained little damage. Electricity remained on.
During the retreat, my mind wandered
from the speakers to the storm at home. When others learned of my location,
they offered prayers. More prayers came from the leaders.
Hour after hour I watched weather
reports and waited. Even though I was not in the storm, my heart was. I worried
for my family and friends in its track. My neighbor and son sent similar
messages. We are ok. Lots of rain and
wind. Scary. For almost twelve hours, the storm raged.
Only when I heard that it passed,
could I relax. Thankfully, those I knew were fine. My home was not damaged and
there were only a few branches to be picked up. However, many places sustained
much damage from wind and water.
Days later when I arrived home, I
could not see the effects of the storm in the darkness. The following morning I
stepped outside to survey my yard. When I looked at the stand of seven cypress
trees by the lake, I noticed a change.
Six trees remained straight and
strong. But my favorite one tilted. Perhaps to an outsider, it would not have been
noticeable but I knew. Its green leaves were secure and branches intact. Only
one limb hung precariously after being snapped off. But the trunk leaned toward
the lake.
Because the tree stood closer to my
house than the others, I had trimmed its lower, scraggly branches and pulled
weeds from near its trunk. The tree caught my eye each morning as I looked at
the lake. In the fall, I enjoyed its colorful leaves and spring time brought
bright, green ones. It was my favorite tree.
How could such a strong tree be
moved by the wind when surrounding ones had not been affected? Stakes would not
straighten it. Nor could I push it into place like a smaller tree. Its fate is
in the hands of God. Not me.
I hope that the roots hold it in place.
Perhaps intertwining ones with the other trees might keep it upright.
Hopefully, another storm won’t topple it.
Like the intense wind of the
hurricane, pain and grief have pushed me off balance too. However in the midst
of my own storms, God holds me securely and doesn’t allow me to fall.
My leaning cypress tree reminds me
that God’s strength, protection, and compassion support me just like he does
for my bending tree.
Heavenly Father, thank you for constantly
holding onto me in the storms I face. Amen
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