High and Dry: Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey

“You’re high and dry”.

I received this text from a friend just days after the effects of Hurricane Harvey ran rampant across cities along the coast of Texas, destroying homes, lives and leaving communities in shambles. As if that wasn’t enough, Harvey then poured down more than a year’s worth of rain in the city I had leaped, in faith to, just a little over a month before.

This was one time that I can honestly say that the news reports, the images that were plastered across TV screens and pulled at your heart strings were real.

I am still in a state of shock and I wasn’t even directly affected.

Is this how you welcome me Houston?

Is this what the results of faith look like?

Some people have even asked me did I regret moving or coming to Houston given what had just taken place almost 3 weeks ago.

To that I respond, “Absolutely not.”

And here’s why:

• Even in the midst of the storm, literally and figuratively,  as well as prior to the storm, when the grave reports from the news were pouring in, I was not shaken or moved. I had such a sense of peace that it can only be described as the kind God speaks of in Philippians 4:7 that He has promised to each of us.
• I had a resolve in my heart and mind that even if I perished, I would be going home to meet my Savior (and see my grandmas).
• If Hurricane Harvey resulted in me losing everything, God had already been preparing me for over a year, as I went through months and months of decluttering where He began severing my physical and emotional ties with stuff.
• I was able to see that in the midst of the storm why He had physically tucked me away in the little corner of my apartment complex on the third floor. Might I add that this is literally a 2 minute walk from my garage which I had been complaining about when I first arrived to Houston.
• Some of my friends reminded me that despite the fact that I had just moved here, my presence there was reaffirmed “even in the midst of unprecedented chaos” as I had been untouched by the storm.
• When you are where God has assigned you (God had placed Texas in my heart 6 years prior), “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:7). These were the beautiful words a friend reminded me of that brought tears to my eyes. I never lost power, had enough food and water and was safe and dry.
• Others were encouraged by the storm I had just endured. One friend in particular who has been through several hurricanes (this was my first) was in awe of how calm and at peace I was.

My dear sister, in the midst of waiting, and even as you are becoming His best right now, you will go through many storms in this life. Can I encourage you to continue to obey God, trust Him and move in faith anyway?

Remember that others are watching how you endure and go through your own storm.  This can serve as an encouragement for them.

Know that God will never leave you high and dry in any storm (or hurricane). People may, but He won’t. Instead, He steps right in the storm (and the waters) with you (Isaiah 43:1-2).

You are too valuable to Him. You’re the one He always wanted. Let Him be your hope and anchor.

If you would like to help the survivors of Hurricane Harvey, please consider these options below to donate items or money. Below are drop off locations that are ongoing while a friend of mine and I figure out logistics for shipping the other stuff we collect in the coming weeks and months to assist individuals and families. 

Drop off locations in Maryland: