“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Peace Through the Storm
Peace was there. A peace that surpasses all understanding was mine as I packed my belongings that time afforded me that day. I cooked dinner and my family had ice cream that night as the demon arose to the West. Finally with pictures, pets, and grandfather clock in tow, my family drove our three cars from Mary Lake to our place of business as our neighbors watched IT coming.
Peace was there as we waited our turn at the traffic lights with all of West Redding running for their lives. Look straight, girl. Pay attention. Don’t look at the fire. Drive. Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid. And I wasn’t.
Thankfulness filled my heart as we all finally settled into the construction yard late that night. Our plans to stay in Anderson were quickly changed when we couldn’t get there due to traffic. Emergency preparedness doesn’t count for much when you can’t execute the plan and there is no electricity. No power to open the big shop doors meant we would sleep in the back of the pickup outside, but I didn’t mind. I had what mattered most—my family and my Jesus and a few cars with what could end up being my only possessions. Either way was good. No house or house, we would get through it together.
A week. Exactly one week. That is how long I can be strong through adversity. Having to tell family and friends “one more day out of the house” and “don’t know when I will be able to return” was frustrating to me. So frustrating that I started a group text instead of answering individual texts. I know they were concerned about my community and my family as we were pushed out of our homes due to the Carr fire. I was frustrated that I was frustrated because I had a home to go back to when so many didn’t. Dear Father, will I ever grow up?
Holding on to that perfect peace Jesus gave began to slip because I was out of my routine and on the go. I’m so glad that He holds on to me. I don’t have to be perfect and have it all together for His word to be true. It’s human to grow weary and tired, and I can find rest again for my soul as I seek His face.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your peace through the fire storm. It truly is not of this world. As our town continues its path to wholeness again, please continue to send Your peace to us, our families, our friends, our neighbors and even our enemies. May our lives give You glory because You deserve it no matter what we are going through. Amen.”
Thank you, Lord, for the magnificent blessings for this family!
That peace is something else! I was in TN for 3 years and although it is a beautiful state, they have tornadoes.. which I have a very difficult time living with the threat. One specific warning, and being in a mobile home, there really wasn’t anywhere to go, so I got face down on the floor and prayed.. I know that peace you speak of! Nothing can match it. We are children of such a wonderful God!
Praise God for His safe hand.
Beautifully said. Love you lots!
He is our future and our hope. In that is our peace.
Loved this 💕! We were away from our precious Mary Lake neighborhood that night. Far away across the ocean, but we were with our family, friends and neighbors in spirit, on our knees interceding for them in ferverant prayer. The feeling of helplessness almost overtook me thinking of loosing our family home and all our possessions that we left behind, but the Lord gave me peace to trust him and keep praying. Thanks for sharing your story and what God showed you in the journey.