INSPIRASUNS

As I sit here on Thursday afternoon in my driveway for a bit I’m not even sure where to begin. First and foremost we are safe and ok.  Our power is out, cell service is down connecting with the “outside world” is sketchy and much of our beautiful sunshine state is changed forever.  Ian has made his way through most of the state now, and he was one unhappy camper when he did.  And…Ian was simply ENORMOUS. 

As of right now, what I know is the Sanibel Island Causeway is destroyed, and many sections of it lay in the gulf.  Ft. Myers Beach and its old downtown are destroyed.  Marco Island, Goodland, and Isle of Capri have sustained major water damage.  Parts of Old Naples are literally still underwater.  Those are the areas I have some knowledge about.  Even our local WINK news station is off the air because they are based in Ft Myers and are underwater.  Florida Power and Light representatives said on Thursday afternoon that they are assessing the damage and know that several stations will, “simply have to be rebuilt”.  Understand what that means, rebuilt, not restored, rebuilt. 

Here is what else I know. Over the past 48 hours, I have seen God right in the middle of this.  People who don’t even know each other have been helping each other.  Total strangers braving the storm to help a hospice patient up to a second floor from their first-floor apartment.  People helping a stranded family stuck in a parking lot and nowhere to go.  Residents literally going door to door to make sure single widows are ok.  People from all over the country are texting (which I can’t respond to at this time), sending FB messages, and just asking if we are ok. Friends from everywhere ask where they can donate supplies for the clean-up. Linemen from across the country have descended on our state to help with the restoration of power.  They have committed to 24/7 hours in the coming days to help people they don’t even know.

Father is in our midst and has brought us together to overcome this event. We will clean up, recover and rebuild, it will take time, and in some areas it will take a long time.  We are God’s children, we are Americans, we are resilient, and we are here to be strong, overcome and always keep him close.  I’m not saying there won’t be difficult days ahead, there surely will be.  There will be days filled with filth, sand, mud, water, and more.  But, every day will be filled with Father’s love and guidance, if we only but listen.

Thank you, dear friends, for your support, not only over the last 48 hours but in the days, weeks, and months ahead.  I don’t know how long it will be before I can actually text or call but will do so as soon as I can.  Until then, lift prayers for this great state and its people, many have lost their homes, their cars, their business, their lives.  God is always with us, and we will endure until we see him again.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.