Photo by Julian Schmuckli on Unsplash

Here in my part of southeast Texas, last week was another historic weather event. Instead of our usual hurricane disasters, however, this disaster was Winter Storm Uri. Uri created the coldest temperatures the area has endured in over one hundred years, plunging us into a perilous deep freeze.

For those of you who kept Texas in your prayers during this time, thank you.

While other parts of the country experienced catastrophic conditions from this storm as well, these conditions are something our area isn’t used to dealing with over such a sustained period of time. 

Across the area wind chill temperatures fell below zero for multiple days. Temperatures hovered in the single digits some nights and stayed below freezing most of the week. Snow and ice-covered streets created hazardous driving conditions, shut down businesses, and cancelled COVID vaccine appointments.

People in our area had no power to provide heat and electricity for days. There was no water. Frozen water pipes burst inside and outside homes. The area was under a boil water notice. At present count, 30 in our city died. Some from hypothermia. Some from carbon monoxide poisoning as they sought refuge in their cars to keep warm.

Now, finding and purchasing food to replace what was lost during the power outages is a major concern for many.

Despite these bleak conditions, hope shone through as restaurant owners stepped up and provided free meals and water to those without. Businesses with power and water opened their doors so people could get warm. As one business owner said, when you see a need, you do what you can to fill it.

Pilot and I are extremely grateful we were only without power and water for a brief amount of time. As each day unfolded last week, with the uncertainty of what it might bring, what we knew for certain is God remains in control, nothing reaches us he didn’t plan or permit, and when it reaches us, he’s right here with us walking beside us each step of the way.

I’ve mentioned on this blog before how, as God’s people, none of us are immune from pain and suffering. I’ve mentioned how the Bible tells us the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike. I’ve mentioned how when things beyond our control happen, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the waves that crash around us, threatening to pull us under.

And as the business owner reminds us, when you see a need, you do what you can to fill it.

We don’t have to wait for a weather disaster to be God’s hands and feet. All we have to do is keep our eyes and ears open, and when we see a need, step up and do what we can to fill it.

In what ways have you been God’s hands and feet recently?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

Lord, remember my suffering and my misery, my sorrow and trouble. Please remember me and think about me. But I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop. They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. I say to myself, “The Lord is mine, so I hope in him.” Lamentations 3:19-24 (NCV)

You can find my February Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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