I Remember: The storms of life come

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By Doris Schroeder

It does seem as the world s getting older, there are more things to get it spinning faster day by day, don’t you agree? Here in Kansas we do have the occasional windstorms, prairie fires and of course, the tornado coming through from time to time. This year, our coastal states, namely Texas and Florida, got the worse of the windstorms aptly described as hurricanes.

We heard about Hurricane Irma coming to Florida while we were getting our exhibits ready for the fair. At first we were not too concerned as we all thought it would die out before it reached Tampa, the area nearest to Clearwater where our son and wife and most of their family live. As the date for the Kansas State Fair arrived, we were also getting filled in on the Florida storm Irma, seemingly getting worse by the hour.

The officials talked about a possible evacuation of homes for our family members. They could go to our teacher grandson Jesse’s classroom at the school where he taught. Consequently he and his brother Jason’s family, along with our son John and wife Carol, drove to the school. It was already quite crowded and they would have to park a ways off in the mud. They decided to ride out the storm in their two homes. John, Carol and Jesse hunkered down in their home and Jason and Becky and their two children in theirs.

It was pitch black as the hurricane hit with its 80 mph sustained winds. There were no street  or neighbor’s porch lights at that time…only total darkness. The wind tore branches form the trees. Any loose object in the yard was slammed against the house with hurricane force. They knew their only true help would have to come from God…so they prayed, both silentlu and audibly, claiming the promises in Psalm 42 and 42, hope in God!

Finally, it was over. They looked at each other in the dark after math that followed. The worst was over and God had helped all six of them through it all. Their physical bodies had been spared and their faith in the one true living God had been strengthened.

In the days that followed, they got their generators turned on, really got acquainted with their neighbors by helping each other out with needed supplies. Jason pointed out that God is always present, even in hurricanes.

They realized that as physical power for the people waned, God’s power was always available. What a lesson for all: We, in our own selves can do nothing. In God’s power and timing, everything is possible!

The days following the hurricane were the hardest and were something they did with all their might, helping with the Salvation Army packing food boxes for the people affected. They could see that their recent retirement could be put to good use.

I still remember the huge ice storm we had in 2007 when our electricity was knocked out for thirteen days. We had the help of our daughter Judy and son-in-law Stan during that time. Even not I can see the good that came outf it, even though I couldn’t at the time.

When you really think about how we behave in life, even those of us who are born again Christians…sometimes we think we can do things right without God leading us. This can happen even when we grow older and become forgetful. Some-times we have to be reminded again!

As I look back at all the good and bad things that happened in our life, one of the things I will never forget is the shock of 9-11-01. We were in Colorado at the time beginning a vacation with Charles & Betty Harmony. The phone rang just as we were sitting down to breakfast. It was Kenny Harmony telling us to put the TV on, something terrible was happening to our country. Of course, the rest of our vacation was totally glued to the television.

The barbs that normally go on between the Democrats and Republicans quieted down. One day it was such a joy to see the two political parties of our nation get together and actually sing in harmony God Bless America on the steps of the Capital! I felt like shouting for joy!

Which again brings out the truth “With God all things are possible!”

Doris appreciates your thoughts and can be reached at [email protected]

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