I had initially planned a “It’s FALL, Y’all!” story. I love autumn in the mountains. It’s absolutely my favorite time of year. Since 2002 as a timid first-year student at Western Carolina University, I’ve marveled at the stunning beauty these mountains put on display year after year.
This year, though, will be different. There’s no doubt in my mind these mountains will stun once more, but it will be against a rather different backdrop.
A little over a week ago, Hurricane Helene wreaked her havoc and dumped more than three months’ worth of rain onto Western North Carolina and surrounding regions. Rivers flooded. Mudslides took out entire towns in some cases. Trees and power lines are down all over the place. My county was mostly spared. While we experienced some flooding (A tiny, picturesque town called Dillsboro was probably the hardest hit in Jackson County), it’s nothing compared to what our friends directly to the east of us are experiencing.
Yesterday, I was driving to the store to pick up a few items, when an intense but short-lived storm rolled through. I’m talking an entire wall of torrential downpour, y’all. I set my wipers on full blast and slowed my speed to a crawl.
“Really, God? Don’t you think we’ve gotten enough rain?”
Literally ten seconds later, it stopped, and the sun poked through dark storm clouds. It was like God had turned off the faucet.
“Thanks,” I muttered, not at all grateful for the answer to my prayer. You see, I’ve been pretty moody lately. I’ll chalk it up to a week spent with my children more bent on proving who’s the Alpha Child rather than on loving each other. Or watching entirely too much horrific footage on social media. Or reading heart-wrenching stories of those who have perished in this awful mess (and then feeling guilty over being annoyed at my children. Because at least I still have them). All of the feels, as they say.
And then I saw it. I had to squint, and I almost didn’t notice it, but sure enough, there it was. Against still-angry clouds was a faint, yet still beautiful, rainbow. I pulled over and took a quick photo (WHY do I never have my good camera when I need it??). I’ve had to enhance some of the colors a little so it’d show up on screen.
But what a poignant reminder, friends, of God’s promise to us. In the midst of the storms we face, He’s there. We might have to squint sometimes to feel His presence, but He’s there, grieving with us; guiding us toward spiritual and physical restoration.
I pray that you are all safe and sound today; that your power and your Internet and cell service have been restored. That your loved ones are close by. And if they aren’t, if you’ve experienced unspeakable tragedy recently, know that I’m praying for you; that the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered, will himself restore you, and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.
Do you have specific prayer requests? Feel free to leave a comment or message me directly. I’d be happy to pray over you!
