Tamidra

“….the spiteful winds blew, and the rain fell with a vengeance that appeared as if drops of cold stones hit the ground with the sole purpose of destroying everything that existed. This wasn’t just any ol’ storm…..this was a hurricane.”-Tamidra

Before the threat of Hurricane Florence hitting my state of South Carolina, the days were sunny and full of life. It’s amazing how the threat of a hurricane can change everything around you in a short amount of time. People who never really watched the news could talk for hours about what the weather man said, and they suddenly had more knowledge than ever about hurricanes. Everywhere I went strangers asked, “Do you think we’re going to get hit?” Hurricane Florence created several different emotions–fear, mysterious excitement, an unusual feeling of being surrounded by the unknown. I watched some people frantically prepare, and I watched others remain calm and unbothered. Support was being offered to those who were predicted to experience the most damage. The preparation for Hurricane Florence became a brief way of life.

The Hurricane of Life. That’s interesting. What do we do when our days are sunny and full of life only to be threatened with sudden vengeful winds of despair and the heavy, tormenting rain of hardship? What do we do when that’s been our life for a long time? The hurricane of life comes in different ways, at different times–but it has a set time to visit us all. It comes in the form of negativity, despair, grief, or anything  that comes to take us away from our sunny moments that are full of life. Sometimes we feel as if we cannot make it through. Life becomes very tiresome. It becomes a hard road to travel. It truly feels like a heavy weight upon your spirit.

After every natural disaster, notice what takes place. Although great loss and devastation has happened, we always see people begin to rebuild. You can see the despair in their eyes, but there is a gleam of hope as they look towards the future. Many are grateful for what wasn’t destroyed as they prepare to move forward.

As hard as life is, this is your encouraging reminder: You are stronger than what is or what has come against you. Although many negative things may have happened to you or could be happening at this very moment, your purpose still remains, and you’re going to get through this-you’re going to rebuild! Negativity may want you to look at all the destruction and all of your weaknesses, but that destruction and your weaknesses are not who you are! The power and purpose within you is great, in fact, it’s so great that you had to be created to share it with others here on earth. The hurricane of life cannot take that away from you. God created you, and YOU are going to do great things!

And, friends, always take the time to help others in some way. When you see that someone’s life has been destroyed, especially by something they had no control over, please don’t leave them there to suffer. Even one seemingly small act of kindness makes a huge difference in the life of others. Just to know that someone is praying for you, a simple hug, a simple kind phone call of hope can make a great difference. Help them to rebuild. If we can stick together during nature’s natural disasters, we can stick together during life’s hardships.

To the families who lost their family members, friends, and belongings in Hurricane Florence-whatever I can do to assist, I am here for you.

~Tamidra~