The “Way Maker”. Lyrics by Leeland.
I’m sitting quietly this morning…very unhurried. I have my cup of Earl Grey tea, with a splash of Oat Milk. There is no music playing, no children’s voices, no husband’s feet walking through the house. Quiet.
I’m just sitting in my big, comfy chair and remembering all the glorious works of the “Way Maker”.
Yesterday was the Anniversary of the catastrophic flood that hit our small town. In the early morning, my Mother called from Florida. “The River is going to flood!” Her phone call saved our lives. We had no warning of the large swell of water coming towards our town. Our family took a few moments, held hands in the kitchen and prayed. Within five minutes, water was pouring in. Seven feet of water filled our home in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Our Lab literally swam out the door to the car! We were “those people” that left a natural disaster with only the clothes on their backs. It was then, that the “Way Maker” took the messiness of our lives, and created beauty within tragedy.
“You are Way Maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, Light in the Darkness. My God, that is who You are.”
People rushed to our side. From every corner of the earth. People loved on us in ways I had only seen in movies. Women from the local Methodist Church took my beloved scrapebooks and dried everything….page by page. Photo by photo. All layed out on the gymnasium floor for the world to see our exposed lives. Our Community completely mucked out our home within half of a day, which is unheard of. We were given clothes to wear, food to eat and a house to stay in. The road ahead was messy, disshoveled and chaotic….but we were wrapped in love every step of the way. I can’t imagine going through a disaster or trauma without the Lord. Minute by Minute, I felt peace. Unexplainable peace and reassurance that everything would be ok.
I would never wish for anyone to experience a natural disaster, but I DO wish we could all experience the love and generosity that poured out to us. I DO wish that we all could experience the beauty of the “Way Maker”. He is able to take what is destroyed, and make all things new.
“I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay. He set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth– Praise to our God. Many will see it and will trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40 1-3
It has been two years. The gardens never looked better after the morning of the flood. The heirloom flower bulbs were lovingly dug up and gifted to many of you. I now receive kind letters and memos of the Oxblood Lilies, Fall Crocus (Sternbergia), Iris, Crinum and countless other flowers that now bloom in your gardens. The Lord’s beauty continues.
Happy Gardening, my friends. Whenever you are in doubt, just remember….
“The steadfast love of the lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. New every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, oh Lord.”