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Saturday, September 12, 2009

All The Time

Last year at this time I said goodbye to my home and nearly everything I own.

I remember that moment before I closed the door and got into the car to drive away. I just stood there for a few minutes, looking around, and I thought Okay, Lord. I don't want to do this, but I have to. If you decide to take it all away, then so be it.

It's so much easier to write that a year later, after many people have put their lives and homes back together after the devastation of Hurricane Ike. This weekend is the first anniversary of that terrible storm. We are extremely comfortable right now, by comparison. This has been a quiet hurricane season for those of us who live near the Gulf coast.
Thankfully, we didn't lose our home, although many did -- and not just people we saw on the local news. People we know.

I don't want to make it sound as though I think losing material possessions is the worst thing in the world. I don't, but I still don't want to go through that terrible trial if I don't have to! I remember during the days of our evacuation how we watched The Weather Channel sometimes with panic and sometimes with resignation. We desperately hoped everything would be alright. Coming to a place, however, where you must say that it will be okay if you come home to nothing is quite a struggle. As a homemaker, it goes against every ounce of my being that loves keeping house and making a home for my family. The idea of a strong wind, or flood waters, or a storm surge carrying it all away is unsettling to say the least.

But I know people who have lived through it. They've picked up the pieces that were left and they've carried on. What's even more inspiring, though, is that they've found joy through the storm.

It is so, so hard to be joyful inside and to give God praise when things aren't going our way. It's easy to say that He is good when our circumstances are good -- and we should! But oh, the challenge is to say that and believe it when they are not.

But God is still good.
Even through hurricanes and infertility, He's good.
All the time.

11 comments:

Life In Mazes said...

Ike was a terrible storm and we evacuated too. You are right to say it is so hard to walk away from your home and not know if it will be there or in what shape when you are able to return. We evacuated to Little Rock. This was our second evacuation in two weeks, since Gustav made us leave too! I am with you on being thankful for a quiet season so far!

Kate said...

What a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing.

Connie said...

He is indeed. For those words to come from your mouth is most inspiring. I am sure that God is looking at His precious child and He is pleased. <3

Sunny said...

I'm sitting here so crazy amazed that we have been talking/blogging back and forth for over a year now! I remember when you guys evacuated for that storm! Time flies, my friend. Time definitely flies.

You are right that our hearts are often connected in what we are thinking about (as is reflected in our postings). Christ is definitely awesome and always good - even though our hearts may be fearful at times - He is still oh so great!

Love ya! Thinking of you often!

Sharon said...

Too true!!!!!

Anonymous said...

It's so hard to remember to count my blessings when I'm in buring the minutiae of the fertility treatments. Thanks for the reminder!

twondra said...

Seeing the after effects of Ike personally back in February which was long after it, I can't imagine going through that first hand. I wish everyone could have seen the aftermath like we did and realize what people went through. And I can't imagine what it was like right after the hurricane, as we saw it 5 months after it and we were shocked.

You inspire me. Yes, God is still good. :) Love you!!

Becky said...

I can not imagine how hard it would be to lose your home and everything in it - not so much for the things themselves, but for the memories and sense of comfort and feeling of being "home" they represent. What a testament it is of those who have carried on and found joy through this storm. Very inspiring and encouraging to all of us who have dealt with broken dreams. You are so right God is good all the time and we can find joy in Him even in our darkest hour when we fix our eyes on Jesus.

Michelle said...

Very true! When I am down I always try to remember to count my blessings.

I know what it is like to lose everything. We lost everything in a fire TWICE. It was devastating to have to start over from scratch but we made it through and came out stronger people for it.

((HUGS))

keep calm and carry on... said...

we were in houston for rita, but had moved back to central texas before ike, so we became a refuge for some friends looking for AC and water.

i can't belive it's already been a year since ike came.. we come back to houston to visit friends every few months and i was so glad to see it rebounding right after.

Jenn said...

Your faith is a testimony to so many. Do not grow weary in well doing for in DUE SEASON, you will reap a harvest, IF YOU FAINT NOT! (Gal. 6:9)