“In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ––I Thessalonians 5:18

This Scripture verse became a real challenge while staying recently in our cabin just north of Asheville, NC.

All weather reports indicated that Helene was expected to move through our area with some rain and wind. No one in the area, much less the mountains, expected to be hit with what I can only describe as Hurricane Hugo on steroids.

As we awoke the next morning to the reality of how far and wide the storm had affected everyone, we quickly checked on our neighbors who lived on our road. No one had any significant damage to the homes. We gave great thanks for that.

Then the challenges began. None of us had electricity, cell phone service, land-line service, Internet, or water (except for two houses across the road who did have water for a few days). I began to realize just how many things I took for granted, especially being able to turn on a light or the water faucet. As I took inventory of my resources, I checked out the many things that I counted on for electricity and water––none of which were now available. (Look around your home and check it out, too.)

Electricity: no oven, no automatic coffee maker, no electric can opener, no furnace, no electric toothbrush, no lights, no computer/internet, no charges for cell phones or Robert’s hearing aids, no dishwasher or washing machine, no refrigerator or freezer, no TV. All of these things I had never really thanked God for.

Water: we couldn’t bathe or brush our teeth, and we had no water to drink or to flush toilets.

We all got together after checking resources and came up with a plan based on how and what we could pool together. We knew we would be stranded for quite a while.

We did have a generator and extra freezer and refrigerator in an outside shed, and someone had a little gas to run it over short periods of time. Several of our neighbors needed freezer and refrigerator space, which we happily provided.

Another neighbor had oil for lamps. We had lamps but little oil. We also had a gas stove and grill that came in handy, as we all used it for cooking needs.

My brother-in-law and another neighbor found a water resource to fill up jugs and containers. This was a daily need for everyone. They also were able to find small amounts of gas to run the generators. Batteries were a necessity as our only outside news came from the small radios that a few of us had tucked away. A country station turned into a news center, so we could at least listen and hear what was happening in other areas around us. But the news was not good. One of the hardest things we found was having NO means of communication. I couldn’t help but think about what we would do if someone had a major problem. All roads were blocked by either fallen trees or washouts.

All of us had a lot of food that would spoil, so we planned a menu daily and gathered on our porch and around my table for dinner every night. We were like the Acts 2 church coming together daily in fellowship, breaking bread together, and remembering to pray and give thanks for what we did have. There were seven of us.

On one of my trips into the little town of Mars Hill to get gas and a few groceries, I got to experience how key electricity was to getting gas and food. Gas was rationed––cash only––and long lines were part of the experience. The grocery store was limited to 12 people inside  at a time, and again it was cash only. We rarely have a bunch of cash around, but fortunately we did have some this time.

While I was standing in line for gas, a sweet older gentleman was close by. When he realized that it was a cash-only situation, I thought he was going to cry. The Lord quickly nudged me to share, which I gladly did.

Probably the most humbling moment in my life came in this same line. An older lady was standing behind me, and I struck up a conversation with her. I asked, “Did you do all right from the storm?” She said, “Well, the river came over my house and took it away––it also took my truck. I got my two dogs out and am hoping my bird could fly away ok.” As I was about to weep, she looked at me with the most peaceful expression and said, “Honey, don’t you worry, God is going to take care of me.”

As my brother-in-law and I left there, I told him if I so much as complained about anything again, remind me of those words that that precious lady spoke to me.

Oh, that we could be that kind of witness during the storms and challenges we encounter in life!

As we all gather around for our holiday meals this Christmas, remember to give thanks in ALL things. Ask the Lord to put on your heart someone or someplace that needs your prayers.

May God Bless our St. Philip’s Family,

Frenchie