In All Kinds of Weather

An unexpected visitor came to see us, and his name was Hugo. We were warned that he was on his way to South Carolina from the Caribbean. He was a threat to everything we owned including our homes, cars, and our lives.  We had to take his visit seriously.

When he banged on the door, he brought with him high winds, massive flooding, and devastation without repentance.  People had to board up their windows and doors.  Many had to evacuate the low-lying areas along the coast.

We frantically prepared the best way we could for this unexpected event with candles, matches, flashlights, bottled water, and perishable items.

We could hear him getting closer by the whistling of the trees and the pouring rain hitting the roof like golf balls falling from the sky.

When he came to my door he didn’t wait for an answer, he beat the door trying to get in. The lights flickered then the house went pitch black. I could hear my heart beat like a drum while we waited in the dark for Hugo to leave.

Unable to move, we prayed for our safety, and for our loved ones and neighbors. Hours passed by while listening to the fierce winds ripping shingles off the rooftop. We began to get very sleepy and fell into a deep sleep.

Awakened by the bright sunlight piercing through the mini-blinds it was finally daybreak, and the worst was over.  I rushed to peer out of my window to see what happened.  I saw broken tree limbs and debris everywhere.

Miraculously, our home was intact. We were safe.

Hurricane Hugo traveled hundreds of miles, caused billions of dollars in damage, tore down power lines leaving many people homeless, and many fatalities. This was a Category 4 Hurricane with over 100 miles per hour winds. He came so close but turned and left us alone.

My grandmother would often say there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and his name is Jesus, so we sent Him an invitation that night and He came inside and stayed with us.

In all kinds of weather invite Him in.

Proverbs 18:24 … But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (New King James Version)

Luke 8:24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, And they ceased, and there was a calm.