Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 57:1 (NIV)
What a difference a week makes! A fiery ball bounced upward behind the woods and illuminated the sky. A forest of green enclosed the mirrored lake. Breezes tickled leaves and purple flowers. An occasional bird melody drifted through the air but wildlife remained hidden. An air of peace and tranquility hovered over my retreat as sunlight glistened on the pond.
Last week presented a much different picture. Gusts of wind swayed trees and waved flowers. Clouds hid the sun and created a mood of gloom. Not one squirrel, bird or deer ventured out. No melodious songs broke the spell. Perhaps they also felt anxiety because of the impending hurricane.
Continuous coverage about the storm filled news reports. Anxiety and uncertainty abounded as the state prepared for the worst. I had endured other storms but this one caused fear and apprehension across Florida. The winds increased quickly and the size widened. We watched and waited.
Even with Milton advancing, my daily time with God gave me peace, in spite of, the storm. I thought of people who endured the devastation of hurricane, Helene, only a week earlier. Many died, some lost homes and businesses but they persevered. They received an outpouring of assistance and compassion.
As I prepared before I left for my son, Chris’s home, I took pictures if I needed them for insurance. Questions swirled. Would I return to an intact home? Would my neighborhood be demolished? Would we be injured or worse?
I prayed and felt a sense of calmness unlike the predictions on the news. No matter what happened, I knew God promised to be with us and protect us.
The beauty and serenity of my lake reminded me that God did protect us in the latest storm. My family, friends and neighborhood survived with little damage. Only inconveniences with power outages, no internet nor television.
Because we have been spared, we can serve those who endured so much. We can donate money to reputable groups. Clean up yards for those who can’t like our church members have been doing. Even in our community some have lost much. Flooding continues as the rivers rise. We need to also pray for people suffering from Helene and Milton.
Heavenly Father, we weep with those who are distressed by the storms. Guide us on how we can help. Surround them with peace and compassion. Thank you for all the workers who have labored to support and encourage thousands of people in multiple states. Disasters often bring us together. Thank you for being with us in our pain and in our joy.
Amen
