We are now a few days removed from Hurricane Ike. The storm passed over town during the afternoon on Saturday. There was no parade to welcome its presence but only families huddled away in their homes. Even though the storm blew through on Saturday its presence is still being felt by people without power. I watched the awesome power of the storm as it blew down trees and sent rain falling sideways. It was the first hurricane in my memory where you could notice the front end, the eye, and then the back end. Looking back, the only proper response to it seems to be wow!

On a practical note, a huge thank you should be given to the men and women who were working during the height of the weather. There were several people who gathered at our City Hall taking calls on various crises. Some went out in the storm to clear downed trees. A few went out in the weather to take in those with medical needs. We provided shelter in our church to a few people in need of different things. It is possible that the responses to calls were not always perfect. However I saw first hand that they did try their dead level best. The fire fighters, police and EMTs did what they could to ease the stress caused by the storm. I thank them for that effort.

Needless to say we did not have church on Sunday. I spent part of the afternoon going about to check on some of our people who live outside of town. All were without power at that time but all had a good attitude regardless. Several individuals were also out assisting those in need of clean up or other problems. It never ceases to surprise me how we can come together in times of distress. Life would be so much better if we did this as a matter of habit rather than it being an occasional occurrence.

Storms come to all of us at various times of life. Not all of them are category 1 hurricanes. Some storms are deliberate yet much smaller in stature. Now our news outlets are screaming the headlines of financial storms across our country. We may not always have major hurricanes but we can be sure we will always face trials of some type. Tonight we will pray for those with medical issues that create a storm. I heard this week of various people facing trials of differing causes. God never promised that we would live a problem free life. It really shouldn't surprise us when we do run headlong into difficulty.

God does promise that He will never abandon us in difficult times. I know that is hard to see when the winds and rains are blowing but it is true. He will not even leave us after the storm passes and we face the task of cleanup. In fact, my observation is that it isn't always the trial itself that is hard. Our problems grow when we see the mess it leaves behind. Life like hurricanes budge us from our routine and scatter our carefully made plans. We can trust that all that is blown about is still under God's control. We can learn to listen afresh to Him for guidance. We can open our hearts to pour out our deepest hurt to a God who understands grief and loss. We can pull together for support rather than pushing others away in pain. We make the choices that determine if we come through the storms as better people or as simply bitter. I hope and pray that you choose wisely.

Bro. Trey