Preparing for the Storm

Well, hurricane season is in full force this year and our part of the Gulf Coast has finally been affected. With hurricane Sally bearing down on our little farm, we have had to spend some time preparing for the storm.

Now if you have never had to be a part of storm prep, count yourself blessed. Water, gas, and food are just some of the top items to be taken care of. Gas cans are filled along with all of the vehicles; and on the farm, diesel tanks get filled too. In case of power outages, generators come in handy for keeping freezers and such going and the tractors will be a must.

Water is an easy one. We have well water, so no power, no water. Bottled water is needed for drinking and depending on how long the power is out, stored water could be needed for bathing and such! Most people fill their bathtubs with water for possible use. Thankfully, we have the pond, so we have a water source in case of emergencies, like flushing toilets! Food is a no-brainer, right? We need storm snacks! A grocery store run is expected, even if the cabinets are already full; it’s just one of those things that must be done! But seriously, food that can be warmed or cooked on the grill or gas stove are a must.

Next on the list of preparations, are barns and outlying items. Porches have to be cleared from items that can be tossed in the predicted 90+mph winds. Feed and fertilizer must be secured, as well as all the items laying everywhere that can be blown around. Usually by the time the storm arrives, everyone is exhausted and glad for a little downtime hunkered down inside.

Well, we prepared for the storm and thankfully for us, hurricane Sally took an easterly turn and we were spared the brunt of the storm. We lost power for a few hours and only had a few downed trees. Damage was almost nonexistent for us, although just a few miles east of us, the damage is tremendous. It could have been much worse for us and we count ourselves blessed while so many are preparing to deal with the aftermath for months to come.

In the midst of everyone working and checking items off of Dad’s list, I stood on the porch and felt an overwhelming peace. This hurricane gave us quite a bit of time to prepare for it’s arrival. Sally was a slow mover and gave ample time for us to make sure everything was as ready as we could possibly make it.

But not every storm in our life gives us that opportunity.

I thought about the storms in my own life, the big ones and the small ones. I pondered on the ones that has taken me completely by surprise and the ones that I had been prepared for, even when I didn’t fully understand that preparation was even occurring.

You know those moments in your life? The times that you prepared for the worst and just like this hurricane was for us, it wasn’t as bad as you had planned for it to be? Or maybe it was like a different kind of storm than Sally, maybe it was fast and unexpected and caught you completely unprepared.

If you are in a storm right now, take hope. Isaiah 43 gives reassurance that He is with you, even in the midst of the storm.

O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.  Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.  Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.  I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,  everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
   

Maybe you aren’t in a storm right now. Quite possibly, you were prepared and the storm of life that you expected, skirted you and struck another or wasn’t as severe as you had planned for. Stay prepared! Romans 8 reminds us that in this life we will have trouble, but “if God is for us, who can be against us?” Our job is to stay prepared. Remain grounded in Him whom we know and have faith in.

I wish I had taken a picture before this tree was stood back up. This is one of two trees that were blown over in our driveway. I looked at this tree this morning and I heard something that Husband said this week after the storm had passed. “The Anchor holds.” Even though it’s weak and weary, and it needs help to stand, it’s major roots had held and with time and some help, it will mature and grow.

Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”

If the storms of life have beaten and battered you and the waves are crashing and the wind is howling, remember, “The Anchor holds.” You and I have the hope that if we hold on to Him, He is sure and steadfast and we will make it through the storm.