What to leave behind
As I’m writing this, I’m keeping an eye on the weather. Hurricane Irma is fast approaching the state of Florida and we could receive a direct hit. The storm could take a turn and go straight up through Florida or it could hit the eastern coast of the US. We don’t know yet. It might change and give the panhandle where we live, a run for our money.
So today, I’ve been washing clothes, buying supplies and tiding up things. Why I don’t know. But I felt the need to cook and clean. I also looked around my house and wondered what I should take with me if we evacuate. Pictures of my family, of course. A few mementoes that mean the world to me. A few clothes and shoes (have to have those shoes–at least flip flops!) How long will we be gone? Will my home be underwater when I return? Do I have enough medicine and important papers, identification and insurance cards. My laptop and external hard drive, my thumb drive that has all my worked saved on it. My notes on the book I’m working on right now.
What part of my life do I leave behind? All the silly things I’ve kept from conferences over the years. The many tote bags I hate to part with because they hold memories? The thousands of books, some read, some waiting to be read? A favorite scarf or my deceased mother-in-law’s cocktail ring? Should we even leave at all? Maybe we’ll be okay? Maybe everyone in the path of this storm will be okay. If I pray for it to turn, I put someone else in danger. What do I pray for and how? I pray for strength and courage and calm during the storm. I pray for safety and comfort and that everyone heeds the warnings. I pray that I’ll be smart and find a way to keep my family safe and that everyone I know and love in this beautiful state will do the same. We have to be prepared for the storms of life and we have to realize that life isn’t always fair or easy. But Christ will see us through.
That’s about it. I’ve learned to be still and know. I saw a post on Facebook from my friend Betsy Haddox. It was written by Nicole Johnson (Creating Calm in the Center of Crazy) and it talked about being still. So I was reminded of the verse that has sustained me since I arrived in Florida four years ago. “Be still and know that I am God.”
That’s what I will try to do in the midst of this storm. My prayers go out to my adopted state of Florida and to all the other places in the path of the storm.
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Praying for everyone affected by yet another storm. And thank you so much, Lenora, for the reminder to simply “be still and know…” He IS God. (And we’re not…thank goodness!)
Thanks, Deb. We are blessed, no matter what comes our way!
This family is praying for safety and protection for all those in the path of Irma. Glad that you are preparing and trusting in God at a time when it is very hard to be still even though we know He is God.
Thank you, Rosie. We’ve had a lot happening lately. I pray for those in the West who are dealing with horrible fires right now, too.
As I read this and tear up, I am praying for you and all in the path of this storm. May God’s hand of protection be with you. My deepest pray is for all to pray for it to dissipate in the name of Jesus. Hugs
Thank you, Lucy. It helps to know people are praying.
Lenora, praying for you and Florida and the east coast. My daughter and her husband and four kids and animals (all but one horse that refused to load in the trailer) had to evacuate their home in Corpus Christi. They were gone for five days before they could go back. It is so stressful. Hoping that Irma will veer off to the right and leave you alone.
Thanks, Robin. I hope things are going okay for your daughter and her family. When I heard about the horse that refused to leave, my heart went out to her. That’s tough.
Hope your daughter and family didn’t have a lot of loss. It is stressful to be away from your home for so long.
Praying that the storm will dissipate and not cause any destruction. praying that you and your family will be safe, Lenora. I love these words you wrote: “We have to be prepared for the storms of life and we have to realize that life isn’t always fair or easy. But Christ will see us through.” So true. may He see you safely through Irma and the emotional storms she inspires.
Thanks, Karen. He is our strength and our refuge!
Thank you for these powerful and comforting words, Lenora. Praying that all will be safe for you and others.
I understand your words, “If I pray for it to turn, I put someone else in danger.” We are in the potential path in Virginia Beach, watching some of the models this morning, so are in the midst of planning to evacuate if need be. I like the prayers mentioned by others for the storm to dissipate. In any case, we do know that God is in charge.
Thank you, Betty. Prayers all around!
It’s good to be prepared but after Harvey, everyone’s on edge. So it does seem funny how worried everyone seems to be so early in the game, at least up here in the panhandle (Niceville). We topped off our gas last night, mainly because everyone else is, and there are already gas stations running out of gas. But we still have to drive to and from work the rest of the week. I’m someone very prone to worry so I have to be strict with myself – there’s no point in stressing about this hurricane and the possibilities until at least Saturday. Plus, my family lived in Homestead and survived Hurricane Andrew in 1992 – the most destructive hurricane to ever hit Fl to date – so we’re better prepared this time (though I was barely 13 when that one hit but I remember it vividly).
Wow, so you know all about this stuff. I grew up in Georgia and we used to get the storms through there, too. My mother was terrified of storms. We hope for the best while we prepare. Stay safe. I have cousins in Niceville!
I also live in the Panhandle (Panama City) and had the same prayer…if I pray for it to miss us, then someone else will get it. So I prayed for it to weaken. We have lived here for 33 years and are used to the threats so we try to prepare our home and sailboat, get supplies in case it heads this way. It looks like we will miss it but we are praying for those in the path and those in Texas. Great post.
Thank you, Gloria. I used to love going to PC when I was a teenager. My husband and I spent a lot of spring breaks there.
Stay safe. 🙂
Dear Lenora,
I live in the “dead” center of the state. We have no idea where Irma will go but at least she won’t stick around like Harvey did.
We appreciate your prayers and will be praying for you also.
Still praying for you as Irma has made some changes. Stay safe and please update your situation. I had a friend in the Virgin Islands and it was good to know she is safe at this moment.