The Emotion of Irma

Well it has been a few weeks since Irma was encountered here in central Florida. We prepared as best we could, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the emotion associated with this “storm.” 

During a short period of time before the storm and for the period after without power I jotted down thoughts in several locations. Just whatever came to mind or better yet came into my heart was written down. Below in no particular order are those thoughts. 

• The mandatory evacuation of our home truly jolted me...the sight of what could be all your life packed into the back of your vehicle, locking the doors, driving away from the place you call home was like a punch in the gut. 
  
  
• Packing up minimal and only essential things, leaving the comfort of the home you have known for so long and not on your terms is draining, deflating, emotional. Is this how it is for the homeless all the time? 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house for what seems like days helps me understand total reliance on Christ. 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house; it is amazing how encouraged you can be with prayer and scripture. 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house; it is amazing how little sleep you get or seem to need. 
  
  
• The closer the storm got, the more I realized that stuff doesn’t really matter; relationships matter. 
  
  
• I wonder why it took this storm for me to tell so many people that I love them? 
  
  
• How precious was that FaceTime with daughter and grandson just before the storm...tears like rain
  
  
• Praying and praying and praying; yet praying carefully as I would not pray for this storm to hit others. Praying for a calming of the storm; a weakening, praying for protection, safety, and peace. Our pastor asked us to pray for love. Praying for love to abound even in the storm. 
  
  
• Can clearly see how much I take for granted; power, air, hot food, Internet, cell service...while at the same time realizing what a luxury. 
  
  
• Being boxed up with now a mandatory curfew even for a short time makes me appreciate our freedom...what a gift... 
  
  
• Amazed at the calming of the storm! Answered prayer! 
  
  
• The storm and clean up after, and days without power disrupt the rhythm of your life – you can’t rest, nothing seems normal – seem to go through the motions of life. Lost??? Scripture brings a centering/focus. Found??? 
  
  
• Storms seem to unify...neighbor helping neighbor no matter their differences. 
  
  
• What hope we have in Christ... 
  
  Grace and Peace!