Life's Hurricanes

I live in a Hurricane evacuation zone. A place that meteorologist often cite when warning of tropical storms, severe flooding, and category 3, 4 and 5 level hurricanes. We are fluent in the lingo: Dopler, tracking systems, mph winds, contra-flow lanes, high tides, evacuation routes... Folks around here just know that August through October are unpredictable at best.

A few years back my city was “doomed for disaster.” Everyone, and I do mean everyone, was “asked to evacuate” and seek shelter at higher ground. Let me just say--for the record--the evacuation was by far worse than the storm. The best of humanity did not rise to the top on that fateful weekend.

Storms expose both our strengths and our weakness. Faith tested. Selfishness exposed.

Today, a new storm is brewing in the Gulf. I lose track of the names, but the same buzz is circuling: fear, anxieties, questions….what to do in the storm? Stay or Flee? Worry or Rest? The concern is valid.

As I think about hurricane season, I can’t help but think about the storms of life. Economic storms. Relational Storms. Health storms. Much like the ones we watch on The Weather Channel, these also test our faith and expose our weaknessses.

A few years ago I faced what could only be described as "the perfect storm." Looking back, one of the primary lessons I learned during that season was that fear and worry will cause us to run for cover, to seek shelter, and to find aid, but where we run is completely our choice.

There is only one true place of shelter, security, and protection for us...and that is Jesus. A scripture that became so real to me during my hurricane season was Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe."

Friends, whatever you are facing today...run to Jesus. Run to the One who can by the mere word of His mouth calm any storm.

35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on
a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care
that we’re going to drown?”
39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?”
they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Matthew 4:35-41 New Living Translation

Confessions of a Bad Blogger

Girls, it’s been a busy summer, and I’ve been a very bad blogger.

So this Redeemed Girl is in desperate need of blog redemption. I was recently informed by one of my friends/readers that I’m “seriously failing at giving her anything to read while she’s supposed to be working.”

To Leslie: I’m so sorry.
To Leslie’s boss: You’re welcome.

But, I have a plethora of excuses for my absence. Would you like to hear them?

a. I might as well keep a locker at Houston Intercontinental Airport. Seriously, air miles anyone? I’ve been to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Sydney, DC, NYC, Albuquerque, Wilmington, and Lufkin in the past six weeks alone. Whew!!!! And, can we just discuss extra baggage fees for a minute? First of all, a girl needs her stuff. Second of all, a girl needs her stuff. I’m just sayin, I’m not a big fan of the new policies. So, of course it takes me even longer to pack now that I must commit to one bag. (You simply have no idea how difficult this process can be. Time that really could have been spent blogging.)
So, my summer has been filled with fun adventures: Hilllsong Conference in Sydney, Surfing Lessons at Bondi Beach, a family trip to NYC and DC, speaking to college women in a variety of locations, and a delightful time of celebrity spotting at the LA airport. Yes, I know I should of/could of blogged about all of these fun experiences, and I really meant to, but….

b. Major Book Deadline. My “free” time has been spent writing, complaining that I can’t find time to write, and then scampering to find scraps of paper to jot down ideas that occur to me while in the soup isle of the grocery store. I use to think I had ADD, which would allow me to do multiple tasks at once. Now I know otherwise. Truly, it just makes this girl scatter-brained and coffee dependent.

c. The Olympics. I would just like to say to Michael Phelps, “You are a serious distraction.” Clearly, I would now be finished with the book and out of blogger purgatory if Mr. Phelps didn’t find it necessary to go for Gold just about every night. I know what you’re thinking. I just watch cause he’s cute. Not true! I’ve developed quite a fascination with the sport of swimming all of the sudden. Ok, so I’m a liar. The fact that he’s 6’5, and still somehow adorable, is precisely why I watch…But seriously, when the Olympics are over, I think I’ll be a very good blogger. (By good I mean consistent, of course.)