I Will Praise You In This Storm

This weekend marked a moment in history that Merrill residents, families, friends, workers, employers, and visitors will never forget. The damage is devastating. The losses are heartbreaking. The sights are overwhelming. My heart, thoughts, energies, and prayers go out to all who were affected by this remorseless tornado. 


And yet, I continue to hear people praising God:


A young woman, who lost the only home she has ever known, said to me, "It could have been so much worse. Yes, this sucks, but we are all ok and things will get better again." Praise God. 
A man was thrown against his vehicle and trapped there by an unhinged, blown apart garage door...and walked away. Praise God.
A family was at church when the storm took their home. No one was harmed. Praise God.
A man was trying to get his new dog downstairs when the tornado threw the dog who-knows-where. The dog was found, unharmed, the next day. Praise God.
Community members are doing everything and anything they can think of-from donating food, to cutting down trees, to cleaning out closets, to lifting families and individuals in prayer. Praise God.
Churches from across the country are calling to see what they can do to help our community. Praise God.
These stories go on and on. 


I was speaking to someone at the site of what was once their home on Tuesday afternoon, when they brought up a song that they said, "has really brought them a lot of comfort." I figured since it is helping one person through this disaster, perhaps it will serve the same purpose for another.  


And I'll praise you in this storm 
and I will lift my hands 
for You are who You are 
no matter where I am 
and every tear I've cried 
You hold in your hand 
You never left my side 
and though my heart is torn 
I will praise You in this storm 
~Casting Crowns (Praise You In the Storm)



It's easier said than done though. I completely get that. Not everyone is ready to praise God right now. And that is okay.


Everyone deals with things differently. Some people are angry with God for "allowing" this to happen (please read the blog on "why bad things happen" found here). Some people are confused-wondering, "Why me? Why my home or my job?" Others are uncomfortably happy they live on the "other" side of town. Some people are strong and able to work the necessary machinery required to physically "do something" and help with the aftermath. Others feel helpless; hopeless. There are so many feelings, and so many combinations of feelings it is impossible for me to touch on all of them right here right now.  Pastor said something to me today that was said to him during a similar situation: 


Everything we are feeling and all of our responses are a natural reaction to an unnatural situation.


He went on to say that we are not wired for these situations. They are awkward and difficult and, as the quote says, unnatural. There is no right or wrong answer. There is no "appropriate" way to feel. God is with each of us-wherever we are in the process...whatever feelings we are harboring. We will get through this, and we will be-one way or another-stronger because of it. 




God is good. All the time.