A Trail of Destruction

I have just returned from Broward County for the second time in less than a week. And I am facing the prospect of going back again in a day or two.

My first trip was on Thursday of last week. The purpose -- to install storm shutters in preparation for Hurricane Wilma. Well, Wilma did not disappoint. Although arriving a day or two later than expected, she came in stronger and faster than anyone would have expected. In her path, she left a trail of destruction.

Tamarac, the site of our home, will never be the same. It seems as if every tree in the city that was more than five feet tall has been uprooted. Or, as one of the three trees in our yard, decapitated. We had three trees standing...now we have two laying and one stump standing.

Trees...that will be the cause of my next trip, the third in a week. With chainsaw in tow, I will be returning to Tamarac to cut down what is left of my former yard forest. Nothing will remain, save three indentations in the ground where these small but beautiful trees once stood.

While the yard is now more barren than before, I praise God for his grace. All of my neighbors lost trees. Many of them have structural damage of some form -- roof, windows, water, etc. We were blessed. The only thing damaged on the house was the TV antenna. Perhaps God is trying to tell us something there.

I'm not sure what the analogy is, but as is usually the case, I am certain that God will allow my experiences with this storm to grow into a message for a future church visit. After all, this is the fourth direct hit from a hurricane that our family has had to endure in just 15 months. In each storm, we had moderate to serious tree damage, but no damage to our homes. God is good! And we praise Him for His protection...once again.