Big Clouds with a Silver Lining

Brisbane, my closest city 65km south of where I live, is a wonderful sub-tropical paradise. It is far enough south of the equator that it doesn't have excessively hot temperatures and doesn't usually get the wild weather of the tropics.

It was therefore major news when it was announced that a Category 2 Tropical Cyclone, called Alfred, was heading our way and that where I live was right in its direct path! The last cyclone to hit Brisbane was in 1974!!!

With many people never having experienced a cyclone before, government agencies constantly explained to us what we needed to do to protect our homes and our lives. A friend helped bring my outdoor setting inside the house and I moved every one of my many potplants so they could not become missiles in the fierce wind. I had tarpaulins and sandbags ready, put the wheelie bins and anything else that was loose in the garden shed, filled tubs and jugs with water, charged the phone and the devices, turned the solar system off, then waited and prayed. 

I asked the Lord for two things - that He would protect me and my home, and that He please would not let my power go off. The thought of dealing with a freezer full of food without power for a week was just too much for me to contemplate. 

Alfred was a Cyclone with its own agenda. It constantly did not do what was expected of it; it stalled just off the coast and thankfully somewhat petered out by the time it hit us. Because it took so long to arrive, there were four full days when we had to stay at home and not to be on the roads. Three appointments that I had were cancelled, I couldn't go and visit hubby, and everyone was so consumed with the cyclone, that no-one sent me any emails that required work from me. And my power didn't go off! 350,000 people lost power and some were without it for more than a week, but God was very kind to me and answered my prayer.    

What's a girl to do with four days stuck indoors ... with power? Sew of course! Those big cyclonic clouds certainly had a silver lining for me. Four days with no responsibilities meant many hours from morning to night to spend being creative - in between all the phone calls from concerned family and friends!

I had picked up some brand-new 7in zippers for just 10c each from the local Op Shop so found a use for them in some small zippered pouches. One of my daughters had requested a new water bottle carrier, so that soon came together. There was time for quite a few other bits and pieces too - I was in my happy place! 

God answered my other prayer also, and I and the home were kept safe with no damage. The horizontal rain managed to creep in under one door and in one window, but that was very easy to mop up. Thankfully, there was little of the widespread flooding that had been predicted.

It was a new experience for me to be on my own in the face of a natural disaster but I felt very supported by family and friends and by Jesus who is always with me.

Many blessings on you.

Val