INSPIRASUNS

Yesterday we made our way through the big task of securing our church and campus for the upcoming storm. As you can probably guess, there are many moving parts, and takes time to accomplish. The forecast for Milton requires that we do a full battening down of the hatches so to speak.

As we put the plan together on Saturday, the word went out to not only our parishioners to help where they could after services, but to the local community around our church. Well, just as we had hoped, our parishioners were there right on cue. People asked where they could help, and what could they do. They were amazing, as I just took them to different areas gave a brief description of the task, and boom they were off and running! In our children’s Sunday school rooms, (4 of them), all the furniture was lifted off the floor in no time. In our thrift shop, items off the floor, boxes, and tubs moved. Hurricane panels, (heavy metal ones), were carried from our shed to the various doors needing to be covered. Oh and did I mention that it was raining solid the whole time? Ya, it wasn’t the most pleasant of conditions to be working outside. They did an amazing job in no time, and I was so grateful for each of them.

Things came together quickly with so many hands helping. We were down to the really fun tasks, schlepping the sandbags and staging them for today. This one we left for our church staff to handle, it’s a messy job and we planned to do it today. Well, out of the blue, a woman came into our Parish Hall asking for me. She said she was from the community club down the street, (which had been destroyed during Hurricane Ian by the way). We have been working with them to use our hall for some of their meetings and events while they are rebuilding. Anyway, she said, “I have a bunch of volunteers who want to help”. I was floored, she had indeed brought probably 10 people with her, including some pretty strapping guys, (think sandbags). I thanked her so much and asked if they would be willing to help stage sandbags for us. “Absolutely” she replied. Within an hour they had moved and staged all of the sandbags, again, in the pouring rain!

Words cannot express my gratitude to everyone who lent a hand yesterday. Just simply putting out the word, asking for help, and people arrived like the cavalry. As I’ve said a lot recently, I see Father at work in so many ways. His children are doing what He has always asked us to do, love others as He loved us. And…we are Americans, we come together to help each other, and together we make it through.

We don’t yet quite know where Hurricane Milton will make landfall. We know there will be challenges during and following the storm. However, I do know that we will be here for each other when it’s over. When many hands come together, it’s pretty amazing what can be accomplished.

Florida friends, please take today to do your final preparations. Help your neighbors, check in on people who might need extra assistance, and be there for each other. Together, we’ll get through this.

Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.