I was nice years old when hurricane Elena sat off the west coast of FL for days. At a category 1 it wasn’t anything compared to the recent storms that have wreaked havoc in the southeastern US. And yet, as a 9 year old little girl having to leave my house and all my prized stuffed animals, it was terrifying.
I remember trying to be brave as I watched my parents packing up what they could, but I couldn’t stop shaking or trembling. Noticing my fear, my dad drew me into his arms and said:
“Sugar, it’s ok to cry. This is really scary. So let’s sit here for just a minute and be scared together, ok? I want you to let out all that fear and all those tears, and I will hold you tight.”
And he did.
I was so grateful for the permission to stop trying to be brave for just a minute.
As my tears eventually slowed, my precious daddy said, “Now, we’re going to take a big deep breath, hold it for a second, then blow it out. And when we blow it out we are going to remember that God is with us. We are going to ask Him to give us courage and strength. We will ask Him to protect us and those we love. And then we are going to get up and go. Ready?” he asked.
I nodded my head. We took a deep, steadying breath and prayed. Then we packed the car and headed to higher ground.
So today, to those in the path of a storm, we take a collective deep breath with you and we pray.
We ask God to calm the storm.
We ask God to intervene and help.
We ask God to provide strength and comfort and endurance.
And we ask that he will wrap his presence and protection over you.
Today, as you make your preparations, we will continue to lift you in prayers for mercy, for miracles, for protection.
To those facing a storm, and to those living in the aftermath of a storm:
You are stronger than you know (even in your exhaustion).
You are braver than you feel (even in your fear).
And most importantly, you are not alone!
With love,
Jen
