October 13
When he thunders there is a roaring of waters in Heaven; he
raises clouds from the remotest parts of the earth, makes the
lightening flash for the downpour, and brings the wind from his
storehouse. Jeremiah 10:13
It was a beautiful crisp fall day and I was finally on the road again, travelling alone to my daughter’s home two hours away. Sunlight sparkled through the amber colored leaves blanketing the roadway that lead to the Mass Pike, adding even more uplift to my spirit. In the distance, rolling hills of red, orange, yellow and green flowed like a painting; God’s painting of the land in it’s height of beauty! Everything looked glorious in this final hurrah before winter!
It had been months since I had been able to do this. With my surgery and procedures behind me, finally I was healing; a miracle for me, having been limited for so long. I had some apprehension too. Not about my ability, but concerning what I might face as I drove through the tornado ravaged area of several months ago not far from her home. I called her when I exited the Pike and became filled with excitement at the thought of seeing and holding my Grandchildren! I couldn’t wait to glimpse their little noses pressed against the storm door as they awaited my arrival! Suddenly as I drove, I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of sadness! This feeling was so profound it was as if the earth was warning me of what was ahead. Not cognizant of the exact area the devastation occurred, I was unprepared to drive into it so quickly! Right in front of me the landscape had opened up! Overcome with emotion at witnessing the ravaged countryside; homes destroyed, trees uprooted and all lying flat pointing in one direction as far as I could see, I had to pull my car over.
There were no amber colored leaves sparkling in the sun; only empty spaces where woods once were, broken limbs, brown earth devoid of grass, debris and wreaked, flattened homes. I felt as though the earth was crying out to God and I felt the sorrow of the loss of what once was. Where were the people now? What happened to the wildlife and birds whose homes were in this area? How does one recover from such annihilation? My body shook with sobs, heartbroken at witnessing all this suffering. Then as I looked around, I felt camaraderie with the earth. My body too, had been broken, but was in the process of healing now. I sat there looking out as a deep sense of enlightenment came upon me; this area and these people would heal also. They would be changed forever, as all things evolve, and it would take time, but they would heal. And just as my appreciation has been heightened for every move I make, I would soon see how those, whose lives were touched by this horrible catastrophe, have unbelievable appreciation for everything; for what they have, for all the assistance they were given and most especially for those around them.
When we are tossed about in the storms of life, God will never leave us alone. Through the many gifts He provides in His hands on earth, our hope for healing is renewed.
Father, protect us from all harm as we face with courage the storms ahead
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson