This whole “sit around and wait” for a tropical storm is becoming all too familiar. I appreciate when it turns out to be “not that a big a deal.” But the stress of waiting and watching and preparing can take its toll. We all know the potential for a disaster is real, as we watch the news and see the photos posted on social media from areas not as lucky as us. There are times when you want to be like Forest Gump and LT Dan…just ride it out with no care in the world. Well, at least LT Dan didn’t seem to care about the storm. See the clip below.
Remember that scene now in the movie when LT Dan questions Forest’s faith in God? And “God showed up” is the way Forest describes the storm. We tend to think of tropical storms as evil, but there’s a beauty in the calm of a storm that has God written all over it. The design of a hurricane is so unique with this perfectly circular eye in the center and the rings that rotate around it. The eye of the storm is calm and peaceful, and it is also dangerous as people assume the worst is over when suddenly they get slammed by the outer walls of the eye as the next band of rain and wind hits. Even the Bible reminds us in Psalms 19:1-2. “The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.” (Holy Bible, Easy-to Read Version)
Sitting here while the rain is light and the winds are just relaxing, I think about the calm before and after the storm. While we are in the storm, we feel helpless and alone if we don’t reach out. Whether we reach out to God in prayer or ask for help through a friend or organization, we tend to think we are strong enough to handle this on our own when the seas are calm. Then we get slammed by the storm because we were “tricked” into believing that we got this because we did so well by ourselves during the calm. The calm is peaceful and relaxing. We get comfortable. When the storm hits though, we need to be prepared. And at times, we need ask for help. We aren’t all as lucky as LT Dan and Forest Gump.
Tropical Storm Nestor is already causing damage along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The same area that was slammed last year by Hurricane Michael. Nestor showed up quickly, almost like out of nowhere. Almost like LT Dan asked Forest “where’s this God of yours?” And God replied with a strong powerful gust of wind and a down pour of rain, “Here I am,” while the sky developed and built into a powerful tropical storm. I’m not saying that God is purposely destroying homes and infrastructure in the path of the storm. I’m just saying you have to admit the creation of a storm seems supernatural. Man and the all intelligent computers can’t even figure out where it is going and what it is going to do next. Tropical storms are just unpredictable…and out of our control.
Living in South Georgia, we won’t see the level of destruction that they do along the coastal areas. We will get some wind which could take down a few trees. We will get the heavy rain which, by the way, we really needed in this area. We might lose power for a little while which is just inconvenient for most of us. But think about what we get in return—a day stuck at home. For those of us that keep a calendar in multiple colors for all the activities and events that keep my kids and I on the road and out of house most days, a day at home with nothing to do is a blessing.
Enjoy the calm before the storm. Enjoy the short lived calm of the eye of the hurricane. Enjoy all that the storm has to offer—time spent stuck indoors with the family, an abundance of rain that we desperately needed, an excuse to sleep-in or take a nap, the fresh warm air pushed our way from the Gulf of Mexico, and the chance to see “God show up.” Even when there’s destruction caused by the storm, what happens in a disaster? Communities come together, organizations jump in to provide relief, and people pray.
Still sitting here waiting for the storm. And thinking this is a good day to re-watch Forest Gump with the kids. And while it is still calm, I think we need to make some cookies. And fill our water bottles, just in case. And charge our phones. Check the flashlights for batteries. And pray.
