Hello everyone,
I pray that those on the East Coast have weathered the storm and things are getting back to normal for you. Hurricane Irene came raging, leaving floods and destruction in its path. Yet there are lessons to be learned, even in the storm. It can be frightening to be without power and heart-breaking to see destruction of property. My heart goes out to those who are suffering in this storm.
Hurricane Irene brought out the best – and the worst – in people. Sheep and goats so to speak. There were those who rallied around to help others in need, sharing what they had in material things as well as physical and emotional support. There were those who looted, taking for themselves. A storm can be a good test of character, and a sure way to expose what’s in the heart. The wind blew the trees in the natural, and in the spirit, blew down walls around people’s hearts, exposing what’s inside.
I am so blessed to have several neighbors – friends that called or came to check up on me and offer help. They were without as well, but they have big hearts, with CARE written in big letters on the inside of them.
I live in the country, so when the power goes out, in addition to no lights, refrigeration, air conditioning, phone, and – oh dear – no internet service, we don’t have water. That means no showers, doing dishes, or flushing the commode without a bucket of water! It’s amazing how these little things we take for granted become luxuries. Most of all, it opens your heart and gives you a tiny taste of what it’s like for people who don’t have these “luxuries” in their normal daily living.
All this to say that as the power was out for a few days, I was starting to get concerned about the food in my refrigerator/freezer. I started to think of how there was enough food in the freezer for at least a month of meals and it would cost me at least $500 to replace.
Then to the rescue came a friend. He and his wife have always been givers, thinking of others before themselves and always ready to help someone in need. They have a generator – not a big one – but one that they can hook up to the well, or stove or refrigerator for short periods of time. He and another friend next door to me, dragged the generator to my house, pulled it up the driveway (a hill), and plugged it into my refrigerator to keep it cool for a while longer. How wonderfully kind and thoughtful! It’s the heart of God shining through them. How I appreciated that generosity!
Food $500 – Friends, priceless!
Blessings, Evelyn
Well said. Yes, I do believe the storms of life, including the literal ones, bring out what’s inside of people’s hearts. Sometimes we need them to see what we’re made of.
Dear Pam,
Thank you for responding. It’s so true – although we don’t like or want the storms, we sometimes need to learn from them. It makes us aware of what’s in our hearts and makes us thankful for the blessings we have.
Blessings,
Evelyn
I agree! So often we forget to thank God for good neighbors!
Dear Marlene,
Sometimes I think that when we do remember, it just makes the Lord smile to know that we finally “got it”. It’s so easy to take for granted some of the most wonderful people in our lives – not intentionally – but like the saying goes, you never know what you have until you lose it.
Blessings,
Evelyn
Evelyn, I don’t think I’ve ever thought of flushing the toilet as a luxury…and a blessing…but it is! And, life is full of luxurious blessings we take for granted. God overflows my cup! Praise Him for the sunshine and praise Him in the storm!
Dear Maude,
I don’t think I ever praise the Lord for having a shower, or running water to do the dishes, but when it’s not there, I sure do praise Him when I get these things back! It’s a real eye-opener at times!
Blessings, Evelyn