Storms

The clouds roll in so that even the sun hides.

Night in the middle of the day.

The wind blows.  Trees bend.

Some break.  Some are uprooted.  Some remain.

Thunder crashes.

We jump.  Waiting for the sirens to sound.

Then we will hide.  But will we come out?

Sometimes we hear it coming.

Sometimes we don’t.

Waters rise.

Sirens wail.

The storm passes.

Houses gone.

Roofs caved in.

Pieces of dozens of homes are mingled together, strewn down the street.

Neighbors pulling neighbors out of rubble.

Strangers helping strangers.

Lives uprooted like the trees.  Lives lost.

All we have are memories.

Old memories of the things gone.

New memories of the things we see.

And want to forget.

What hope have we who can’t turn back the clock?

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? …Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 18-32, 35, 38-39

Praying for the people in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky who are grieving even as they begin to pick up the pieces of their lives.

For love abounding and hope renewed.

Comfort and sleep at night.

Needs met and strength supplied.