I’ve had a lot of time to think about Noah this past
week. A month ago I’d chosen to preach
from Genesis 9 for yesterday; it’s the account of God’s promise to Noah (and
us) after the flood business was all done. By Wednesday the sermon was all ready…or so I
thought! Then, Thursday night we were
exposed to one of North Carolina’s ice parties.
Friday morning we awakened to this gem of a back yard (pictured above).
And NO electricity!
For seasoned and prepared folk, it meant dragging-out the backup
generator and carrying in some more wood for the fireplace. For the Brownworth clan, well, we had our tiny
gas log to stave off the new ice age. It
also meant we bagged up the contents of our thawing freezer and carried it next
door to our kind neighbors who possess a generator. Then we “hunkered-down” close to the gas log
and munched on bread and whatever else we felt compelled to consume before the
thaw ruined it.
In the end we stayed a night with our daughter and family 10 miles down
the road; it was such a blessing to warm up, have a hot meal and shower-off the
effects of 60+ hours without those conveniences we think indispensable.
Back to the
yard
We have been living in our home for about 14 years. What was once a wild tangle of trees had been
cultivated over the years to become our little “sanctuary”. Needless to say we are a little heartbroken
and have a LOT of work ahead to restore some order. But we are also grateful we were not
harmed. God is VERY good!
Noah &
Russell
It is amazing what perspective you gain in unguarded moments –
especially following times of stress or emergency. As our life is beginning to get back to more
routine, Noah is appearing in the mirror.
I see a lot clearer how helpless he must’ve felt as the boat tossed
against the night storm. Standing in the
pre-dawn Friday morning, surveying our damage, every half minute or so there
was a loud Crrraaaack, as another branch or tree trunk splintered and
crashed to the ground. I kept thinking:
Oh no…don’t…don’t
go. Not the cedars!
Stop…wait….I
don’t…..Crrrraaaack! Crash!
Helpless! Can’t
do a thing to stop it. Sigh!
The loss of a few trees aside, I am so very grateful for the times I
have been privileged to stand with friends, church and family members in the
midst of their losses,
·
Sudden tragic
death of a beloved father and grandfather
·
Home destroyed by
fire
·
What remains of a
family after suicide
·
Too many graves
to count
I’ve been made so much stronger, encouraged so completely by the faith
and resilience of others in their times of testing through helplessness.
After a disaster we have time to think about it all. And we also have the opportunity to thank God
for His goodness and grace in the midst of the mess, even when we haven’t got a
clue as to the “why” of it all.
At this time of the year in the Christian calendar we are journeying
through the Lenten season towards the disaster of “Good” Friday and
the crucifixion, burial and darkness which covered the first disciples’ lives;
their sanctuary had been taken by storm.
From this side of the resurrection we can cheer for them – hold
on; it’s not the disaster you think it is…just wait a little bit. This helplessness will pass; you’ll see!
Today…for you
But who’s cheering for us? Who
knows what we go through today?
Thanks be to God – it’s that same bunch of disciples we cheer for;
they’re a great cloud of witnesses. And
they can see past the disaster! So, go
ahead – run your race today!
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with
perseverance the race that is set before us, Hebrews
12:1 (NRSV)
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