Peace in the Storm

Winds and rains may howl outside. We cling to the news reports, listening as grim stories of the storm roll in.

The lights flicker, and then die all together. Just to make sure, we check the lights in the other room. Once it is confirmed we have lost electrical power, we gather the radio, flashlights, candles and what we need to wait for the repairs to be done.

It could be a few minutes, or several days.

Some switch to mobile devices to continue viewing the news stories, others turn to the battery-powered radio. Several use generators and can continue watching TV.

A few, like myself, will issue a sigh of relief, and take a few moments to listen to the silence.

 

Once  the internet and TV die, it is an ideal time to unplug. While the storm rages outside and candlelights blossom in the neighborhood, it is a good time to check on elderly neighbors or those with young (possibly frightened) small children.

It's an ideal time to curl up with those books you have promised to read but never found the time.

It is also a perfect time to just be still, reconnecting to God with mediation and prayer.

The world inside be- comes still as winds and rains howl outside.

When all is still inside, there is God's Peace.

Non-stop streams of information and interconnection may keep our hearts beating fast. But instead of complaining when our connections are cut, perhaps we can take advantage of it, finding sweet blessings even in the midst of a storm.  :D

~ESA

1938 Hurricane - A Memory

Many newscasters are comparing Storm Sandy with a hurricane few alive today remember: 1938's Hurricane named "Long-Island Express". I wanted to share this story passed down through my family from that storm.

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My grandmother's neighbor once lived on the southern shore of Long Island's south fork. Unlike many of the summer cottages, he lived there year-round, two blocks from the shoreline.

One beautiful September day, he drove the two miles into town to pick up his mail at the local post office. He was thrilled to see the brown-paper wrapped package there from Sears, Robuck and Company. At long last his order from the Sear's Catalog had arrived.

He drove home and immediately opened the package, removing the well-packaged barometer.

His heart sank immediately.

While outside it was a clear, sunny day, the barometer clearly read "Major Storm."

With a sigh, he carefully packaged the item back in the box with a note to the Sear's Catalog explaining his return. 

Not wanting to wait, he drove the two miles back to town to ship the broken barometer.

When he arrived home...

... his house was gone -- literally gone. Only the foundation remained.

The storm had moved in with such uncanny speed and without warning.

Had it not been for that "broken" barometer, he would have been out in the Atlantic with his house.

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~ ESA  
Images Credit for Hurricane: New York Daily News ~ http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/great-hurricane-1938-article-1.1194501 
and Ruby Lane for Sear's Catalog ~ http://www.rubylane.com/item/715248-481/Sears-Roebuck-Co-1938-39

Yesteryear's Hurricane Stories

The following are true stories heard following last year's Hurricane Irene. I pray we have less damage, and more stories of neighbors helping neighbors as Storm Sandy tackles the eastern seaboard this year.

While there was damage, and thousands of people were without electrical power on Long Island (NY), neighbor came out and helped neighbor. In other parts of the country, this may be the norm, but not as much in and around NYC. The news had the reporter in awe and he added, "We have not seen such neighborly acts of people reaching out to one another in this area since 9/11."

The day following the hurricane, in Richmond VA, no one in the neighborhood could get out of the driveway, let alone down the street. So many trees had fallen, but 15 neighbors in the area got together and spent the day cutting and moving the fallen trees. One jokingly added they were all stocked up with firewood for the winter.

In Connecticut, the local news reported what areas were out of power. Those few who had power opened their homes for others to come over for a meal, a hot shower, or even just to charge their electronic devices, such as cell phones, laptops and children's video games. Local high schools acquired generators so they could offer the same. Each night, people in darkened homes would go outside and share with their neighbors the news they heard, report where there was food to buy, power to charge items, and where one may get some ice... 

Within 24-hours there was a shortage on ice. However, untold numbers of water bottles were packed in working freezers as well as ice cubes bagged to go for friends and neighbors who had no power. Room was made in freezers and refrigerators to help keep what little food could be saved. 

In some parts of this small state, there was no gas available; a combination of high demand for all the independent generators and vehicles, plus inaccessibility to get fuel trucks into areas and the stations not having power to pump the fuel. Many grabbed gas cans when power came back in their town and drove some fuel to others who lived in the more remote parts of the state, keeping them going a bit further. For those who may not realize this, unless one lives in a city or some of the "downtowns" that have public water, when you loose power, you loose water too.

In our apartment complex, a community dinner was organized on the third day without power. Anything that people had been able to keep with ice in melting freezers was cooked up, and we collectively sat outside on that beautiful evening to a feast that would rival many Thanksgiving dinners.

Other nights, a neighbor gathered fallen tree branches around the area and had a make-shift campfire in her bar-b-que. Kids spent the time chasing each other with flashlights and the light from their phones and video games, playing hide-and-seek in the vast darkness where we usually have many security lights. 

From Vermont came a remarkable story. In the communities that were completely cut off from the rest of the State because roads were washed away, neighbor came out to help neighbor "just as we did in the old days." There was a daily gathering in the town greens, where people asked what was needed and collectively determined how those needs would be met that day. They could not depend on supplies from outside, as roads were gone. So, they would go out into the fields and harvest what was ripe - by hand. Then they would gather again on the green and cook the food, sharing it so all could eat. 

There are sad stories, which the media loves to cover, much of which is already forgotten in the wake of other hurricanes, wildfires and other news. But there are also happy stories too. We were blessed with unseasonably beautiful weather for almost a week after the hurricane - perfect days where we did not need heat nor air-conditioning. The outages were scattered so that some power was found in driving distance. People had many opportunities to help others near and far. 

When other disasters come in its day,
May neighbor help neighbor in this way.  

~ ESA

Hurricane (Story)

As Sandy is in the process of wrecking havoc and mass evacuations along the Eastern US seaboard, this story came to mind. Originally published here. I thought to share this with my readers today. Enjoy. :)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- One day there was a bad storm causing tremendous flooding.

The whole area had been ordered to evacuate, but one man stood his ground and said, "No, I have Faith that God will save me." 

All his neighbors left.

A jeep pulled up to his house and the driver called out, "Hey, buddy, it's time to leave." The National Guards pounded on his door, trying to convince him to leave.

He adamantly refused to leave, claiming, "No, I have Faith that God will save me."

The storm got worse, the water rose, lashing at the first floor windows.

A boat came by and the woman called out above the wind and rain, "HEY! You inside, you should have left earlier, but I can still get you to safety. It's time to go."

The man stayed inside, stubbornly refusing the assistance. "No," he shouted back through a window, "I have Faith that God will save me."

The woman and boat moved on, searching for other survivors.

The waters continued to rise, eventually forcing the man up onto his roof where he clung to a chimney and prayed, "I still have faith in You, God. I know that You will save me." 

A helicopter came. The people within lowered a rope asking him to climb up.

He refused.

One of the rescuers lowered himself on another rope and tried to tie the rope around him.

He adamantly wrapped his arms around the chimney, hindering the efforts. "No," he cried between clenched teeth, "I have Faith that God will save me."

With the storm's winds and rapidly rising water churning around his legs, the rescuer, at last, had to abandon the man to his fate and leave with the helicopter. 

Soon after, the storm and the waters claimed the man on the roof -- drowning him. The man found himself before the pearly gates of Heaven and stood puzzled before God.

"Why?" he asked. "Why? I had Faith that You would save me. Why did I drown when I had such Faith in You?"

God looked down at the man and shook His head sadly. "I sent you a jeep, a boat and a helicopter. What more did you want?"
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There are times when we expect God will send help in ways WE want. We seem to tell God how to save us, how to help us, how to behave.

When we do that, often we fail to see God working through others.

~ESA

Noah's Ark 2012

This is a fun story I found on another blog and I wanted to share it with you:

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In the year 2012, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Australia and said: “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans.” He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: “You have six months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard – but no Ark.“Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord”, begged Noah, “but things have changed… I needed a Building Permit. I’ve been arguing with the Boat Inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I’ve violated the Neighbourhood By-Laws by building the Ark in my back garden and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Local Planning Committee for a decision.”

“Then the Local Council and the Electricity Company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.”

“Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls – but no go!”

“When I started gathering the animals the RSPCA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.”

“Then the Environmental Agency ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.”

“I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration are checking the Visa status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience.”

“To make matters worse, the Inland Revenue seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species.”

“So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least ten years for me to finish this Ark.”

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No”, said the Lord. “The Government beat me to it.”

Card Crusade

I am starting a crusade and inviting everyone to join in!

There is a blog I enjoy reading, filled with unspeakable terrors, unendurable pain, weakening of limbs, body and mind. It contains day after day of horrors, unfeeling hearts, mental confusion and never-ending frustration. There is even occasions when the devil makes a direct attempt to add to the misery, described here and here. This is no Halloween thriller; this is someone's life.

Why do I read such a blog, let alone "enjoy" it? The blog (Terry1954) is written by a woman, Terry, as she takes care of her brother, Al, who is in the final stages of Parkinson's Disease. There are not-so-good days, and days that end in tears and frustration. There has even been days when the pain is so bad, Al begs God to let him die.

Through it all there is never-ending love, commitment, family connection, friendship, and Trust in God. THAT is the reason it has become one of my favorite blogs to read. Terry is a bright light in this world.

Recently, Terry has found that cards addressed to Al lifts his spirit. While there are days he can not open the mail, nor be able to read them, his smile lights up the room when he knows that people care enough to send something. And Al's smile causes Terry to smile too, lifting her spirit as well.

These two weary souls have endured a long and painful journey together. And I am a strong believer that God works through people, including me and you. Will you join me in this crusade? There are three (3) ways you can help.

First, send a card or a note, even a child's colorful scribble will be most welcome. If you want something more personalized, Al's favorites include vintage cars, Coca-Cola, football and basketball. But any uplifting or inspirational item will do.

 As she is hesitant to put her address online, you can contact Terry (tellmenolies2004@yahoo.com) or me (JesusSister2011@hotmail.com) for the mailing address. If you email Terry, please use "Card for Al" as the subject line, so it will not be inadvertently deleted as spam.

Second, I ask anyone who is brave enough, please re-tweet, re-blog, re-post on FaceBook, pin on Pintrest, or any other means you have to get the word out. The more we can share this request, the more cards will arrive. Let's see how far we can get this to go!

Third, but certainly not least, please keep them in your prayers. They could use all the help they can get in these coming months. Their faith is strong, but the obstacles are many. There is strength in prayer.

Let's get this card crusade underway!

Uplift a soul or two

With a kindness you can do

~ESA

Bumper Sticker

While I walk to my job, I had to travel into the nearest city recently. On the way in, I encountered rush-hour traffic.

While my old Jeep crawled along, trying to navigate into the adjacent lane before the current lane became a one way trip into the river below, I encountered "I will NOT let you cut in ahead of me" driving. One driver shoved her way around my Jeep's nose, virtually riding the bumper of the car before her.

Fortunately the semi-truck driver behind her honored my change-lane signal. As I waved my thanks to the truck-driver, my eyes fell upon the bumper sticker on that woman's car. It was for the local Christian radio station.

The thought "That's not a very Christian way of acting" immediately jumped to mind. Then, just shy of the Holy Spirit smacking me upside the back my head, that impression was corrected by the reminder that I also have a Christian radio station bumper sticker too.

What kind of example do I make when I am in a hurry, or down, or angry, or judgmental... ?

Two days after Christmas, I will drive my mother into the heart of New York City to park as close as possible to Rockefeller Center so she can see the Christmas tree and attend the Radio City Rockettes show. Will I ride the bumper of the car before me, as my mother shouts directions from beside me?

Or will I let people - likely equally stressed - merge in?

What about other aspects of my life? When do I slow down and let another life merge into mine, helping reduce some of their stress?

The truth is that we represent what we believe in, whether or not we have a bumper sticker on our car or any other symbol we wear on our person. Our actions teach others, far more than our words ever will.

What do you say

Along life's way

Including today

~ ESA

A Simple Prayer

This was taken from an item I spied at a fair recently...
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Dear God,

I have had a good day today. I did not sin. I did not lie. I did not cheat. I was not jealous. I did not b*tch or talk down to someone.

I did not cut anyone off while driving. I did not go off my diet. I didn't even have a bite of chocolate, which you know I love so much!

However, God, I'm about to get out of this bed today, and I'll need a LOT of help from You.

Thank you. 
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~ ESA

Image: from the internet, source unknown.

Lion & Little Mouse (Story)

With the fall colors shining bright

My mind brings this story to light.

Feel free to copy/paste & share

As long as no funds are received anywhere.

(c) 2008 :D

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Lion and Little Mouse

One day a little mouse was scurrying about trying to prepare for the cold dark winter days ahead. She was a tiny thing, even for a mouse, but she had a very big heart. Before making her own preparations, she stopped to help others first. By the time she started her own preparations, there wasn't much left in reach.

The little mouse ranged further and further from the safety of her home looking for what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. On one of these long journeys, she broke through the tall golden autumn grass and found herself practically nose to nose with a lion that had been resting there. Her whiskers quivered in fear and a piercing startled squeak leapt from her throat on its own volition. 

Her squeak must have awakened the sleeping lion for he opened his golden eyes and gazed calmly at her. Realizing she had just disturbed the King of all the animals, the little mouse hunkered down and lowered her large round ears. "I- I'm sorry, Your Great Majesty, for disturbing your rest," she timidly squeaked and quickly turned to scamper off. 

The lion's quick paw came down gently but firmly on her little furred tail pinning her there, regardless of how fast her paws scrambled against the ground. The poor little mouse was now terrified and she froze in horror with the realization that she was now trapped. 

The lion smiled gently and picked the little mouse up by her tail and lightly placed her on his other paw, bringing her closer to his penetrating gaze. Though sunlight sparkled from his own whiskers, the little mouse couldn't peel her eyes from the sharp white teeth that were now clearly visible. 

A gentle chuckle rose from the lion's broad chest. "Don't be afraid, little mouse. I am not hungry nor do I toy with you. What brings such a little mouse so far from her home?" 

"Oh, please, Your Majesty! I was just preparing for the dark winter days ahead. All the supplies within reach were already gathered near my home so I had to go further out this year seeking what I need. Please just let me go and I'll be on my way. I did not wish to disturb you." 

"And why did you not gather what you needed before now, little mouse?" 

"I helped some of my friends and neighbors to make sure they were ready for the cold dark winter days ahead. That is why I had a late start. Again, kind Lion, please let me go and I'll be on my way." 

"Not so fast, little mouse. Why did you not seek help of your friends and neighbors when you set out to gather your own supplies?" 

"I am still young and able. I do not wish to be a burden to anyone as long as I am able to do for myself."

"Ah!" commented the lion. "But now you are far from home and alone. But you are not truly alone; for I am here. I will help you."

"You?!?" squeaked the mouse curling her tiny ears back along her head. "Why would the King of all the Animals want to help a little mouse like me?" 

The lion smiled knowingly and lowered the mouse to the ground. "There may be a day when I need your help." 

Puzzled the little mouse tilted her head back to look up at the lion that towered over her; the sunlight danced in his noble mane so very, very far above her. "If there is ever a time when you need my help, I am willing to do so. But you do not need to help me now, Noble Lion." 

The lion's smile broadened and his golden eyes sparkled with a secret knowledge. "Even if you believe that now, little mouse, I will help you. It will make your quest easier and you will be ready for the cold dark winter days ahead." 

And so the lion helped the little mouse, lifting her high so she could reach what she needed to survive the cold dark winter days ahead. He even carried the little mouse and her supplies back to her home.

"I thank you, friend Lion," squeaked the little mouse from her doorway. "And if you ever need any help that I can provide, I will gladly do so. But I still cannot think HOW a little mouse like myself will be able to help the King of all the animals." 

The lion smiled knowingly and nodded his acceptance of her thanks and timid offer of help. "We shall see what the future holds." 

Some days later, the lion was out on patrol. The nearby man's village was growing. It was near sundown on this day, and the construction site had been abandoned by the workers. Curious as to what they were doing, he wandered among the buildings and poked his whiskered white-tipped nose here and there. 

It wasn't long before his great forepaw came down on a small steel roofing nail. At first it didn't hurt as much, but the more he tried to work it out, the deeper the nail bit into his paw. At last the pain was too great and an agonized roar escaped his throat. 

All the animals heard their King's roar of pain. They all ran, hopped, scampered and trotted toward the sound. But each and every one of the animals stopped at the edge of construction site. None would dare enter where humans have tread, even to help their King. 

The lion by then was in such pain he couldn't walk the distance back to where the animals were. "Please, help me!" begged the lion. "The nail has bitten deep into my paw and I cannot get it out!" 

None of the animals moved, but the crowd observing their King's pain grew as more and more animals arrived at the scene. 

At last the little mouse also arrived. She had to weave in and out of all the other animals to see what the commotion was about. When she saw her lion friend hurt in the middle of what man had made, she turned to the other animals. "Can't you see he's in pain? Why has no one gone to help him?" 

"Foolish little mouse!" growled the black panther. "That's man's world. Even I will not go there. If that lion decided to enter into man's world, he's on his own. We will not risk own hides to help him."

The little mouse's whiskers quivered in rage. "How can you say that? Isn't he your King as well as mine? I don't care where he is, I'll go over there and help him." With a swish of her long tail, she scampered over the embankment and entered the construction site. 

In a few minutes she was once again before the lion, her sides heaving from the long run. The lion looked down at the little mouse with pain in his golden eyes, and he looked back across the way at all the gathered animals. "Why is it only you who has come to my aide?" he asked.

"They don't want to enter man's world; they're afraid." She looked around herself with wide panicked eyes. "I'm a bit frightened too, but I remembered my promise to you. I'll help if I can. But I'm so little I don't know if my services will do you any good." 

"Yes, you can help, little friend." The lion stretched forth the forepaw. "There is a nail in my paw and it hurts something fierce." 

The little mouse scurried over the great paw and tilted her head as she studied the nail. "It's such a little nail. It's actually a bit smaller than I am." She stood up on her hindpaws and gripped the nail with both forepaws. Then she pulled with all her might.

The lion hissed a moment as the nail pulled free and then sighed greatly in relief. "Thank you, little friend. That is much better." He lowered his shoulder to the little mouse. "Get on my back, little mouse. I will carry you home. You have come a great distance to help me." 

She gratefully hopped on his shoulder and climbed the rest of the way to his spine where she comfortably settled herself at the base of his golden mane. As she rode back through the construction site, she noted the look of all the gathered animals. They were not happy. Though they did not want to help the lion, they were not happy that she received special treatment because she did. She felt even more timid and her tummy started to flutter. "Friend Lion......" she began hesitantly. 

"Yes, little mouse?" answered the lion as he gazed over his shoulder at her. 

"Can I ask something of you... I'm very grateful for all your help before and for the ride now, but what I did was such a small thing. Please don't treat me any differently than the other animals." 

The lion paused and fixed the little mouse with his golden gaze. "But you are the one who came out to help me where no one else would go." 

"To me it doesn't matter. I'd help you out of friendship, not for a reward. Please, Your Majesty, I'm just a little mouse, shy like all my kind. Don't you see the way the others glare in my direction. I'm not comfortable way up high like this. Just let me be me and free, that is what I desire." 

"If you are certain, so shall it be, my little friend." 

So once again, the lion carried the little mouse to her home and let her scamper down to her front door. "I shall not forget this, friend, even if everyone else does. Call on me if you ever need help again." 

The mouse smiled warmly. "Thank you, friend Lion. And if I can ever help you again, don't hesitate to call on me." 

And they were good friends ever since.

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~ ESA

Images:

Top: ChestOfBooks.com

2nd: Internet, source unknown

3rd: YogaInMySchool.com

4th: ColouringBook.org

5th: BlogsOfNathan.blogspot.com

6th and 7th: Internet, source unknown

8th: Paned Expressions Studios

9th: Elizabeth O. Dulemba (dulemba.com)

 

ALSO: Nod to Aesop and many other storytellers around the world upon which numerous versions, this story was inspired. :D