“Hello everyone,” announced the TV presenter. “Let me correct that.” There is nothing GOOD about this morning of September 26, 2004. “
Trying to keep calm, we followed Charley’s path. At first, the action outside wasn’t much different from the usual storms in Florida. But we knew this was no ordinary storm. It was a preamble to a dangerous hurricane
“Everyone get a pillow and a blanket,” I said. I took note of the supplies we would need: a flashlight, water, and our cell phones. Grab the small transistor radio with new batteries; a little comfort slipped into our confined shelter.
As expected, the lights went out. The television was silenced. In the dark, the rage of the hurricane became more audible. As the wind blew, it whistled as if to announce, “I have arrived.” Its disturbing nature intensified our vulnerability.
Charley had a vicious and unique personality. It was fickle, at first feeling like it was headed in one direction, then at the last minute, changing direction. He had his own madness ruthlessly tearing apart neighborhoods.
” Silence! » I ordered. I turned up the volume on the transistor radio I held in my lap. ” Listen! » I added urgently.
Our family huddled together, trying to block out the roar outside. We hung on every word coming from the radio, the only way to connect us to the outside world: “He’s heading to Orlando; the winds are incredible. With the last moments of daylight, we could see the roaring wind snapping trees in half like pretzel sticks. In other areas, trees were forcefully uprooted, their roots entangled in cement blocks thrown aside like toys. » Static interrupted his description. Then he continued, trying to catch his breath: “The huge bay windows of the neighboring buildings moved in and out in a rocking motion, trying to resist the violent wind without success. »
Lord, I screamed in my thoughts, keep our family.
Then the silence of my prayer was interrupted with more reports. I appeared calm on the outside, but with every noise coming from outside and every detail of the report, I wondered if God was really listening. I asked if he would respond before the worst happened. I doubted if my words were appropriate enough to reach him. And I was sure my emotions were blocking me. The more I tried, the more the hurricane of doubt beat in my heart.
“NOW, the road is in total darkness,” the journalist said. “Even some traffic lights are gone. »
Without air conditioning, our comfortable space is transformed into a small oven. But safety has replaced comfort. Charley’s anger grew closer. Strong winds push out a sporadic fringe, rattling our garage door. The debris thrown against our front and back doors, as well as those slamming against the large windows, gives the same sensation as a “tick…tick…tick” from a bomb. We knew it would go off, but we didn’t know exactly when and we also didn’t know which window would shatter or which part of the roof would be torn off first.
Nobody spoke. But suddenly I heard a strange noise.
“What is scratching?” ” I asked.
“It’s my yogurt cup,” my mother said with her characteristic calm. “It’s my snack,” she added matter-of-factly.
How can she eat at a time like this? Does she not realize the danger?
“My hope is in the Lord,” she said, “He will protect us.” Do you think this hurricane surprises him? He is always faithful. Hope in Him is all we have. »
I had heard these same words from the pulpit. They provided light reassurance because I sense no danger in this bench surrounded by painted glass windows.
But NOWwhat painted in my head were images of us under rubble.
The outside noises heightened my imagination. We heard more banging and crashing outside. I changed my request: “Lord, I know you are in control. I have no doubt that you will see us through. And I know that you will calm this storm in my heart and also outside. »
But my words still resonated with doubt.
Charley’s furious winds hit with more intensity in some areas, pulling down roofs and roofs, and the high winds tossed traffic lights, crushing them to the ground. A few deaths have been reported.
“Tracking shows that Charley is NOW in downtown Orlando,” the radio reporter announced. We all stayed quiet to make sure we heard the good news (for us at least) and then it was confirmed. Charley had moved north; he had finally passed us.
God manifested himself quickly and quickly.
We breathed a sigh of relief. And I fell silent, Thank you.
We walked out of our cluttered room and outside, staring in disbelief at the mess, debris, and broken pieces of objects ranging from tree branches to trash can lids to unidentifiable objects.
As we all stood stunned by the destruction, a deep yawn slipped from my mother’s lips and she threw her empty yogurt cup into the wastebasket. “There was no need to worry then; no need to worry NOW. God is in control. Good night everyone,” she said.
“We wait for hope in the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ” (Psalm 33:20-21, NIV). It was in waiting that God worked in me, teaching me to trust in the heart of fear. To be safe when I hear threatening sounds and to stay safe when others bring us bad news, sadness, or warnings of destruction.
With renewed faith, gratitude removed the last of the dark storm clouds and brought new meaning. My hope was in God, not in the circumstances or those around me.
The next morning’s sun revealed the radiance of God’s promises that He would respond to our requests with promptness and speed. His faithfulness becomes visible not so much in the quiet of my life, but during the emotional storms and hurricanes that test my faith.
Let’s pray
Father, in the face of the storms that threaten our lives, we rest in the comfort of Your promises to never abandon us, to never leave us. But without fail, you shield us with your love and protection. In the name of Jesus, I thank you. Amen.
What is testing your faith right now? {eoa}
Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and the author of four books. She has helped thousands overcome fear and bring back joy.
This article appeared in janetperezeckles.com.
Learn more about how to weather storms by listening to the podcasts included here.
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Author [email protected] (Janet Perez Eckles)
