The Saturday Journal: Running Toward the Storm

The morning is quiet. It's early. It's dark. And we're all holding our breath--waiting for the storm to come. Hurricane Helene. Some storms, we have prior warning--detected--tracked. Some storms we don't.

And I think about the beauty of the bison and his sad eyes--the many photos of this majestic creature with his face covered in icicles and snow. And his sorrowful eyes in appearance. But know this--this is no indication of his lack of courage--his strength--his resilience. It's just the opposite.

Courtesy of IStock. Jack Van den Heuvel, Photographer

The rain is pouring--gushing like waters being released from a dam--the sounds of waves. The trees bend. And the birds are scurrying at the feeders and the hummingbirds are fighting at their fountain like political parties. Another drinks in silence, and on her green tail feather clings a raindrop.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord;

in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 5:3

And there's this lone gray warbler--he keeps coming to the table perching on the railing of my porch--seeking shelter out of the wet and rain, and I feed her and with her song, she seems to say thank you.

Hurricane Helene, she is not leaving on this day--she roars on. And the rivers are crying out--their banks are full--overflowing. Trees are being uprooted--their tender branches breaking. Roofs are leaking and farms and buildings and homes and roads and bridges are knee-deep in water and mud--some gone--demolished--washed away. And lives are lost.

It's now early morning Sabbath--the roar of the generators continue to fill the thick air--remnants of rain of Helene fall softly and there's a goose honking overhead. Our little community has been without power and phone service and Internet for 48 hours plus and some of us are reading by candlelight--lighting our way with flashlights and candles.

And on this Lord's Day in my front yard filling up the bird feeders with fresh seed, I hear the loud engines--see the flashing lights. Utility trucks--a company from Canada. And as they pass by my house, I say a quiet thank you, Jesus and throw my hand up at the drivers--a southern welcome everyone can relate to. They wave back--their windows rolled down. Young men--middle-aged guys.

My darkness for a few short days quickly came to light as I learned more about the despair and devastation of Helene and there was no holding back my own personal dam any longer.

And I wept--tears for those stranded--without food, homes, water, family--for those mourning--for those scared--alone--without hope and in despair. For EMS workers, firemen, for health care workers, for Mamas and Daddies trying to reach their children at universities and colleges--For the utility workers who traveled a long distance--leaving their families behind. And so many more.

The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.

Psalm 6:1

And the faith candle burns--the one with the three wicks--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and it glows and the outside of the glass reads, "Faith is a fire that shines a light in the dark, and when life is cold, it's there to keep you warm."

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

And I spill words of prayer, praise, thankfulness in my prayer journal from my broken heart. And once again, my mind wonders to the strength and beauty of the bison--the only animal on earth known to walk toward the storm. He doesn't run away--he doesn't hunker down. He runs head-on into the storm. Like Peter did when he stepped out of the boat--to walk on water-- with faith--to Jesus. Like Rahab did when she let down the red rope. Like Nehemiah when he held a hammer in one hand and a weapon in the other--rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength

and my song: He also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

And this week, I have seen countless images and read and heard the stories of those running toward the storm--Running head on with courage and resilience and determination and in tears. Those who have suffered lost themselves, and the workers and helpers and the givers.

Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

And the rain sprinkles harder. A cardinal sits on the fence and two bluebirds are building a new nest--one twig at a time. And in the deep of the woods, a tree falls and the noise was soft--a brushing of other trees as it fell. I didn't see the tree fall, but God did.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Psalm 121:1-3

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Please continue to pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Helene. The needs are great and will be for months and years to come. Please give as you can--as God leads you to give.

Beginning Monday, October 7th and through the month of October, I will share a daily Bible verse through email and on A Beautiful Grace social media pages (Instagram & Facebook). I pray in some small way these verses will speak peace and hope and encourage as we walk through this--

praying and working together.

"A Beautiful Grace" October newsletter will be available on Tuesday, October 8th.

Please consider signing up for A Beautiful Grace newsletter and The Saturday Journal.

Winners of the September giveaway will be announced in the October newsletter and

on A Beautiful Grace Facebook page.

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We spend our years as a tale that is told.

Psalm 90:9

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 and the stories shared here in this space will bless you in some small way.

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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer.