The approaching hurricane is occupying my thoughts. How bad will it be? How soon will it hit? Please, Lord, keep everyone safe. I hadn’t realized I had so many family and friends in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia. But, I do. I hope they and everyone else remain out of the reach of deadly wind and waves. Fox News has a continuing streaming view of Miami Beach. Right now, there is a haze over everything and the sea is looking uneasy. I’ll be watching to see how the video changes throughout the day.
Thankfully, I’ve never been in a hurricane or a forest fire as the people out west are suffering. I’ve never felt a really hard earthquake as the people in Mexico did. I’m not complaining. But, I ask for safety and calm for all those who will or have already experienced such trauma.
Of course, we can’t get through life without trauma and tragedy and some pretty earth-shaking happenings. And I, as do we all, seek refuge from the fear and hurt and bewilderment. Prayer is a wonderful stabilizer, so I pray. Friends and family are barriers between us and hurt. And, many times I have turned to books for solace.
photo by Missy Day Albrecht
I’ve said this before: books are some of my best friends. A book can go with me to a hospital room, to a loved one’s bedside. A book can take me away from devastating news, if even for a few brief moments. During many a stormy night, a good book has seen me through until morning.
Here in NW Arkansas, the morning is crisp and cool; the sun is shining, but that’s not the case in Florida. There, people are fleeing a malevolent storm; they are seeking refuge. I pray that they find it. I ask the Lord that no person or animal is left behind to suffer the violent weather. I hope they all have enough food and water, enough batteries and family and friends around them. When they gathered up their treasured possessions to keep safe from destruction, I hope they included a few good books. I hope those refuges have been reached and all are ready. And, though it doesn’t seem so right now, this, too, shall pass and the sun will shine again.
Thank you from Largo. Prayers without ceasing greatly appreciated
Thank you for writing, Ellen. Prayers without ceasing are going up, not only from me, but from many people. Are you in a safe place?
Thank you for your prayers from South Carolina, we’re more inland but keeping prepared. Tornados, if not waters, always possible, as well as the high winds.
It’s wonderful to know God’s family is united in prayer for each other in the face of the hurricanes and fires!
I’m so glad you are inland, Fran. Yes, a lot of prayers are going up, including mine. Love you.