Saturday, September 16, 2017

Victory in the Storm

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers.  Elliot and I are safe and so is our dwelling, built on a rock.  Irma was transformational on many levels.  Ninety 90 mph winds barreled down the north and south sides of this old 1927 stucco bungalow.  We prayed Psalm 91, and went to sleep without power.  A tornado watch at 2 a.m. woke us up and we stayed in gratitude for each moment, knowing God is the only Power that can act. God is all good all the time.  I held tight to the truth that we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, and like two baby birds, we were nestled under the mother bird's sheltering wings.    Angel cat snuggled with us in bed during the long night.  A peaceful presence filled the room and I felt angelic support and protection.  At the height of the winds, I remembered a spiritual discipline.  To embrace each moment fully without trying to wish it away.  To go within and get in touch with that part of me that is eternal, that resides in the eternal now.  This helped me to stay at peace as I realized I was not my body, but an eternal spirit created by God.

 The next morning, when I drew back the curtains, I wept tears of gratitude.  The 100 year old camphor tree at the back of the house knew how to bend, along with the towering oak tree next door.  All the hardwoods only suffered from minor pruning.  The pink plastic flamingos were still standing tall.  We had made it through the Red Sea.  The next step was to accept a week without electricity, and not murmur or complain, forgetting all the blessings. Again, moment by moment was the key. Gratitude for every little thing.  Neighbors came together.  There was a peaceful acceptance.

Yesterday afternoon the power came back on.  Now the work of helping others begins.  Prayers are needed more than ever.  Thank you all!

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen