Eye of the Storm

Screen Shot of NBC Nightly News

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind

    and a refuge from the storm,

Isaiah 32:2a (NIV)

At 7:15 am EST on 9/14/18, the eye of Hurricane Florence came to our home in Wilmington, North Carolina.

It is a paradox that coverage of Hurricane Florence’s eye was not seen by the those who were there.  The rest of the nation and world saw multiple views of this large hurricane and the responses across our community. 

One report that captured my community was on NBC nightly news (9/14/18).  I saw my surgical colleagues reaching out with other first responders to provide emergency care.  I saw their physical and emotional exhaustion.  I saw them in prayer for strength and courage.  That was for me a powerful reminder of the power of God’s presence and promise.

We were not in the eye of the storm, but many people from near and far believed we were.  We were blessed by their concern and confronted with communication of our “safe” situation.  The paradox is the hard work of not being there.  We feel drawn to return to be present even though the roads are flooded.  

We will return and in the meantime, we are thankful for our community, grieve for those who suffer and rejoice with those who have been blessed with a new sense of a power stronger than the storm.

Marvin