We have been told to #stayhomestaysafe for approximately 64 DAYS in Michigan.

For most of us, our homes have become our refuge and safe haven. Our homes have become our offices, classrooms, vacation destinations, and private restaurants.

Many, here in Michigan, have chosen to use online delivery services in the place of going out, even to grocery stores.

Many, here in Michigan, have had their personal choice to go to work taken from them as their careers were not deemed “essential” (whatever THAT means).

Many, here in Michigan, have not been able to receive certain health services because those particular needs were not considered essential/urgent/emergent/necessary either.

What did we do?

We stayed home. We stayed safe.

Two nights ago, after an ENORMOUS deluge of rain in Michigan, my sump pump decided to “take a break” due to being severely overworked…needless to say, its “reprieve” made quite the manageable mess in my basement.

We found ourselves to be GRATEFUL that the issue was discovered before going to bed that night and that Meijer was still open until midnight so we could get additional fans to help dry the area out.

We were thankful to have dodged a bullet of basement disaster and loss.

Then, yesterday, the news broke about a neighboring community…The massive Tittabawassee River is flooding and destroying dams.

People are being forced FROM THEIR HOMES DURING A PANDEMIC due to the rush of destructive water heading their way!

They are being removed from their safe haven and place of refuge.

Their in-home classroom is now removed from them as an option to teach and learn….and, quite possibly, their actual school could now be in danger of receiving damage that will impact the return -to -school options for the fall.

Their in-home office and supplies gathered are now not within reach as they evacuated and took only what was “essential”.

People are losing their pictures gathered over years of married life, their clothes, their toys, their furniture, their cars…

Those THINGS that have entertained you for these past 64 days?

They are now GONE for them…perhaps temporarily as they wait for the water rush to abait or maybe permanently due to water damage.

My question becomes~

Where do the people go in an evacuation during a pandemic?

Do others open their doors to strangers when they have been struggling how to/when to open their arms to grandparents and friends out of concern of physical safety??

We have been SOCIAL DISTANCING for 64 DAYS and now a great need to BE PRESENT has occured…

What do we do?

How do we help?

How do we overcome a respectful fear of an unseen virus to help our MICHIGAN neighbors in need?

I don’t know.
But I sure am praying for a way to be revealed.

Again,what REALLY matters in life is being further revealed to us first through a pandemic and now through a flood..and what little control we actually have is also being stripped away.

I learned a long time ago to ask a question of myself:

what is it that truly centers me (grounds me, roots me in place)?

Can it (whatever or whomever IT may be) be taken from me?

I found, in my time of reflection, that I need something that will secure me to my core when those things that I place high value on are gone from my life for one reason or another.

I need something that will not and cannot be shaken.

I need something that has never changed and nor will it be changed -no matter the circumstances.

My faith is Jesus Christ is my it…my something.

There is nothing else.

In Revelation 1:8 we are told

“I am the Alpha and the Omega” {the Beginning and the End}, says the Lord God, “Who is {existing forever} and Who was {continually existing in the past}, and Who is to come, the Almighty {the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all}”.

When disaster comes, fear overwhelms, illness strikes, heartbreak happens, depression darkens my vision, anxiety cripples me, uncertainty panics me…my faith is what sustains me.

When the call comes to evacuate, you take what you can grab as quickly as possible…

A change of clothes, medication, the pets and maybe their food, most likely a phone charger, food or water to last a few days…

If you are like me, you better be praying you have gas in the car!

Other than that, you take what is inside you and that is what you find sustains you…not the limited supply of food or clothing.

My faith has become a shield that protects me from severe injury through a battle…but only if I learn to wield it right and become strong with it.

If I have not practiced holding or using my shield and only looked at it collecting dust in a corner or occasionally carried it with me to church on Sunday’s then I am not ready for battle with it.

I am better off than those who never got their shield at all because I already have it…but, I am not prepared on how to use it to its fullest possible potential.

My faith bolsters me as it takes a beating…it sustains me even if I fall underneath it.

Psalm 62:2

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my defense and my strong tower; I will not be shaken.

What centers you?

Can it be taken?

Will it shelter you and sustain you?

If you have questions about it, let’s talk…