So, I had planned something entirely different for today’s post, but somehow it paled in significance…
On this date one year ago I was hiding in fear in my pantry waiting to be transported to Heaven or deposited into the Land of Oz, depending upon whether or not I was hit by one of the 27 tornadoes that came through our state. We were so blessed to have been spared. So many were not.
Almost 300 people were killed, and many lost their homes. One town, Hackleburg, was simply wiped off the map. So many stories, of terror and loss, and yet… Here we are.
We now have a shelter that some would rather we had “put out back.” But we are landscaping the little bump in front of our bedroom window, and some day, sooner than my neighbor realizes, that little bump will just disappear into the rest of our plantings and that will be a nice view then.
We have already shared our little Hobbit hole with the neighbors and their children this past month, and although once again nothing serious happened to our little enclave, we were nonetheless grateful to feel safe down under the ground.
I have lived for many years in fear of what if.
- what if the house burned down
- what if someone broke in and took all the good stuff (It has happened to us twice in California, BTW)
- What if we had “The Big ONE,” and the house just fell apart and we didn’t have earthquake insurance to cover it. (California again!)
- What if we lost all our lovely antiques, passed down through Bob’s family and/or collected by us over the years, what then? They could never be replaced!
- What if we went into the Hobbit Hole and came out and our little enclave was wiped out? Gone! All our things blown away in the wind and the Munchkins in Oz lay claim to them?
What if it did happen just that way? (Pick one) Well, then I would have to say,
“So what?”
The people here in the Bible Belt have so much faith, resolve, and determination. No matter how bad it was, they picked themselves up, dusted off, and then went next door to see if someone needed their help. Now, some are still in need, but the job is getting done, homes are being rebuilt, and lives are going on.
Does having faith guarantee that you will never face loss, strife or death? Of course not! What it does do is give you the strength to go on, and this is big…
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For [you God] are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies (even the bad weather!)
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
~*~
~ The 23rd Psalm, as paraphrased by me, from God’s Holy Word ~
What a powerful promise! So now I realize that if it all burned up, or blew away, or was taken from us, then oh well. We’d certainly start anew…
and much more simply the next time.
~*~
What do you fear?
~*~
NOTE: I followed the link to Hackleburg’s Google Map and they have actually updated the photos from space to reflect that the center of town is GONE. Officially, it is 75 percent gone. An eerie thought. My posts from last year can be found here:
Copyright – Rich Voza
Life on the Farmlet 