As the beloved hymn written by Chisholm and composed by Runyan states, “Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!”
In recent months, I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in ways I can hardly begin to describe. Time and time again – even in the midst of hardship – the Lord’s work on earth has been made evident right before my eyes.
Most recently, God’s faithfulness began to show up in full force as many wonderful people in our town emerged from their homes early in the morning to find their dwellings ravaged by a fierce tornado. So very thankfully – and quite frankly, miraculously – not a single life was lost as the direct result of the storm’s destruction.
Psalm 91:4 (NIV) states, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
I do not want to minimize the heartache our community is experiencing as many work to repair or rebuild their homes. But, I can only marvel at the wonder of safety over our town on that fateful spring morning.
My friend Katie recently thoughtfully recounted her experiences on the night of the storm as a mixture of fright, yet mercy. Although her family and personal home were spared from the tornado, her parent’s farm took a direct hit. While the landscape of the family’s home transformed almost completely overnight, their spirits remained steadfast.
Friends and family members from near and far called for wellness checks, while neighbors and strangers alike began showing up to help and offer support. Katie recalled her faithfulness was strengthened as she watched “people coming out of love in a crisis situation.”
Sometimes, our earthly heartbreak is leveraged for God to speak into our lives.
“God has to work through people,” Katie shared. “God uses people, our thoughts, and minds to speak to us.”
After residing in their home for more than 18 years, my friend Jo and her husband have found themselves displaced for a period of six to nine months while repairs are completed. While this setback would undoubtedly shake many of us, Jo’s attitude is one of remarkable resilience and faith.
When reflecting back on the night of the storm where so many citizens quickly awakened from slumber and sheltered rapidly, Jo acknowledged it was a “miracle” that no one was seriously hurt with so little time to prepare. “The hand of God was there,” she said.
Jo’s faith has also been bolstered by all of the support the community has received in the storm’s aftermath. While their journey of restoration is just beginning, she said she “knows that God is with us and will show us the way.”
The accounts of Katie and Jo are just a couple of the many uplifting stories shared as the faithful people of our town – and even some very good Samaritans from out of state – began pouring into the storm’s affected areas with food, water, supplies and an endless supply of chainsaws to clear roadways and yards. I could never imagine how my emotions could be stirred at the sight of wood chips flying in every direction, until I saw how this skill can be used as an act of service and love.
While we are saved by grace, not works, I have to imagine Jesus smiling as His followers set out to serve his children. While untouched rooftops may have been scarce in the hardest hit areas of our town, helpers were not – they came in abundance.
I do not expect to fully understand on this side of eternity how God works and why circumstances play out the way they do. But, I can only believe God was here the night of the storm as his army of angels ushered so many sleepy citizens out of bed and harm’s way. The stories of amazing grace keep pouring out day by day.
As we move further in 2021, I want to encourage you to look each day for God’s faithfulness. Look as you encounter blessings, and look even harder when life’s storms hit. Truly, if you seek to discover God’s faithfulness, I believe you will find it almost everywhere. And, I pray you will be blessed by what you see.
Rooted in Grace and Grit 