Life Reminders

When Hurricane Matthew came up the coast we braced for mild hit, having been told of the possibility that the storm would turn before it got to us. Luckily it dropped in strength, but still managed to do a number on many trees along with minor flooding in our area (as compared to NC and elsewhere).

It was those trees that really got us.... they seemed to all hit a wire somewhere, as if they were aiming. In the tree verses wire scenario tree always wins. Away went the electricity, away went the lovely trickle of water from faucets, and in place of them came the generators - lots of wonderful generators humming along keeping frozen foods frozen a little bit longer and allowing us to flush toilets and recharge our phones.

Our electricity went out in the afternoon. We made the best of it, hoping for a quick turn-around, but in our hearts we knew it wouldn't be good. Photos on Facebook (using the phone) later showed so much damage. We went to bed very early, listening to the wind blow. The next day I tried to sleep away the time, but you can only do that so long.

We were out a few hours shy of 4 days. Those are really long days when you don't have electricity. We're so addicted to turning on, booting up, and checking in as soon as our feet hit the floor that we don't know what to do when we suddenly don't have any options.

I'd gotten several books to read from the thrift store, stocking up on my supply of romance novels. Reading is really a mid-day event for light to see by is brightest then. Remember, these were stormy AKA dark cloudy days; then daylight left early to turn to night. Mid-day is the best time to pull up a chair by a window.

I tried to crochet a bit, but it seemed boring and without the AC running it quickly became a too hot project in an unkind way. The books kept me interested.

Having time gives you time to think, to hear the quiet of your heart beating, time to catch up on all the inner-most thoughts you've put off for so long with an "I'll do it later" mentality. You suddenly have time to talk to God again. You are reminded to be appreciative of what you have and what you take for granted (like running water). Even though a storm like this is at best, a great inconvenience, it is still one of God's ways to give us a life reminder. If nothing else touches you you can see the awesome power He displays with His enormous wind and rain. You can see how you are so small, really, in the scheme of things. Perhaps He reminds you of where you fit in that scheme because of His great love. Even in the midst of a storm.