Yesterday started off with frightening thuds around 5 a.m. when straight-line winds from Tropical Storm Zeta tore through our yard, felling part of our wooden fence and two trees. My husband and I jolted from our bed to the howls of my daughter’s dogs. North Atlanta should not be a target for diluted hurricanes.
My daughter and her husband had arrived late the previous night from Alabama with their furniture packed in a Penske truck. They were scheduled to close on their new home near us at 1 p.m., then friends would help us unload and get them settled. What would happen if the closing got canceled? We started the “What if?” game and quickly became overwhelmed with worry.
A few minutes into our worst-case scenarios, God nudged the words of my late father to the forefront of my mind. Dad, who passed away in 1991 from Multiple myeloma, used to say, “It’s all in your attitude.” He was right. It says so in Habakkuk:
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
— Habakkuk 3:17-18
I did my best to keep everyone upbeat as we awaited calls from the realtor, refrigerator delivery person, and Internet carrier tech. As the morning wore on, we learned that 444,000 Georgians were without power, schools had closed, and three people in the metro Atlanta area had died. Our concerns paled in comparison.
Finally! The first call arrived mid-morning from the realtor. The home closing was still set for 1 p.m. The other two calls zipped in minutes later—both positive. Julia and Drew took off for the closing while my husband, son, neighbor, and I added some of our hand-me-down furniture to their truck.
All turned out well. They returned by 4 p.m. and, with the help of a brawny friend, we finished unloading the truck at their shiny new townhome by 8 p.m. Afterward, we enjoyed a pizza picnic on the happy couple’s garage floor with a light tropical breeze cooling our exhausted bodies.
I’ll never forget that crazy, 2020-infused day. So many emotions: fright, anxiety, and . . . joy. I’ve learned that by choosing joy and trusting my heavenly Father, my soul will be at peace. I highly recommend that combination for tense situations.
Were you impacted by Hurricane Zeta? If so, how did you fare?
* Header image courtesy of Fox5 News Atlanta.
What a great testimony of God’s provision! I’m glad you are all safe and that your daughter and her husband are all moved in. What a crazy day, you had, but what an inspiring story. Good luck putting your fence back up.
Thank you! ?