I just shared this with some friends yesterday, but September 10 and September 11 are some pretty significant dates in our minds.
Hurricane Irma ravaged our home on September 10, 2017. September 11, 2001 forever changed all of us.
The definition of bittersweet: Hurricane Irma. September 10, 2017.
Damn near killed Terry and me, rebuilding the house. That’s the bitter part.
But because of Irma, we grew closer to our neighbors. We met our insurance adjuster who is a precious, honest, Godly man, who fought on our behalf when the insurance companies didn't want to budge; and is now one of our dearest friends.
Day in and day out for two and a half years, Terry and I worked to rebuild the house and it was more beautiful than ever, when we finished. That’s the sweet part.
The hurricane caused so much damage. But it also brought Terry and me, even closer. As I look through pictures and cry over what was lost, I am also reminded of friendships built because of that storm. We shared more meals with our neighbors after, than before the storm.
September 10, and today, the reminder of the horrific tragedy in our history; September 11, 2001. The day that changed us all, reminds me of just how precious lives, not things are.
We made an awful lot of precious memories in that home, and we will continue making sweet, laughter-filled memories no matter where we are. The hurricane caused horrific damage, but the foundation was intact. Just like our faith. Storms may bruise us. Storms may hurt us. But they do not have to destroy us.
This day and tomorrow are reminders to me ... Jesus has a beautiful track record of being present before, during and after disasters.
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds." - Hosea 6:1 (NLT)
I love this beautiful scripture so much. I am reminded when we are torn to pieces, our precious Papa heals us. When we are injured, He bandages our wounds.
On September 11, 2001, I did not think our country would ever be okay. I allowed fear to consume my thoughts. But Americans were more united then, than perhaps ever before. Let’s try to get back to that.
Let’s put partisan politics aside and be compassionate people, again. Let’s be nicer to our neighbor. Let’s break bread with our neighbor. Let’s help our neighbor.
Let’s love our neighbor.