Hurricanes have devastated portions of our country and it will take years to restore some of the things lost. We must remember if we have our lives, the rest is just stuff. Yes, tragically lives were lost as well and those losses will be felt forevermore.

There are some lessons we can take away from the Hurricanes. As Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are to be prepared at all times, we should be as well. Of course you don’t want to stockpile bread unless you freeze it and in the event of a power outage, it could defrost. But flashlights, batteries, candles, canned goods, etc. can be purchased way ahead of time and kept on hand for such emergencies.
For those who cannot possibly survive without their cell phones, they make special chargers that will hold a charge when power is out. Personally, I can survive without mine and there are days I wish they had never been invented. Then, I see a touching photo or an encouraging word and I appreciate it for those times.
One huge lesson, is that it can happen to any of us at any time. We just never know so have your affairs in order at all times. The Bible also tells us to be prepared. We should be looking for Jesus to return at any moment and live accordingly.
What is great to me is that everyone steps up to help each other during times of tragedy. Each of us can do something even when we are going through things. Whether it’s provide a meal, water, necessities or a shelter. Sometimes it might only be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or just to provide a hug. We need each other and should always be kind to each other and help when and where we can.
I am so thankful that we did not lose power during this storm. We have lattice stripped off the deck, damage to our fireplace chimney and trees down in back which destroyed the back fence, debris everywhere, but we are unharmed and all that stuff is just minor in comparison.
We’ve got to start thinking differently and if these recent storms don’t push us in that direction, then I’m not sure what will. Too many people want to gripe and complain and we have lots for which to be thankful.
Life is too short and we make it about stuff when it isn’t at all. We take so much for granted.
Some people were complaining about power not being back on but it’s something you don’t really think about until you don’t have it. Instead of complaining about not having power, we should be thankful when it comes back on. There are going to be people in Florida where it will be weeks before power is restored. So we are truly blessed here if we are only without power for a few hours or even a day or so.
At the office, the power went off during the storm but was back on Tuesday morning when we came in the office. However, it went off shortly after and I was contemplating alternate plans of where to go to get the paper published on time. Though we have power at my house, we do not have internet service and it will be 24 hours or more before it’s fixed they say.
Judd Publishing, where we are printed, was also without power so that was not a possibility. Thank the good Lord, prayers were answered and power came back on before we had to go elsewhere. One employee was saying we needed another keyboard for one of the computers because the space bar was not working correctly. However, when the power went out and then came back on, we were just grateful we had a keyboard at all.
Some folks were complaining about being bored. We’ve forgotten how to entertain ourselves and rely too much on TV. What about playing games by candlelight , reading by flashlight or having good old conversations? It is my prayer that we rethink what we do and figure out way to be content even in storms like Irma.
Another lesson we should already know is that the weather people cannot predict hurricanes or other weather occurrences really. Hurricanes are too unpredictable and meteorologists and others in the science of weather are not in control. It’s actually kind of amusing to me when the storms do the opposite of what they predict. Just shows me whose in control and it’s not us. Knowing that and realizing we can’t control anything, should give us peace and not anxiety. It does for me.
It’s not good to listen to the weather 24/7 in a storm anyway, because it only pushes up levels of anxiety. I’m not saying don’t stay abreast of developments but it’s not really necessary for you to sit glued to the weather channel for the duration.
When possible, check on neighbors, relatives and others. It helps keep your mind off what’s going on around you.
Storms in our life will come and go and one thing I know for sure, is that we are not in them alone. God is right there with us, carrying us, protecting us and comforting us. We may not always feel Him, but He is there. He calms those storms for us, sometimes before we even know there was a storm.
Prayers continue for all those affected by these storms, for our country and for those people who have hardened hearts. Blessings. ©2017

VICTORIA SIMMONS is an author, columnist, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com