Day 6 – March 10, 2025

Reflections of September Hurricane  – by Donna Reed Payne

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck, I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.  I am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for God.  Psalm 69:1-3

Hurricanes are unstoppable storms that bring widespread devastation from destructive high winds, water surges, tornadoes, flooding, and residual mold.  In my mind, my wilderness was like a hurricane.

When I arrived home from one of my summer pilgrimages to Bellingham, Washington I found myself facing a multitude of storm surges.

Before I left Bellingham, I had gone to Seattle for a weekend trip of sightseeing.  Foolishly, I had ignored a small cut on my toe and had worn open-toed sandals. I picked up an antibiotic-resistant infection in that toe that showed itself by the next morning.  After returning home to Huntsville, I discovered an AC vent had fallen loose during that hot humid wet August and my home was invaded by mold, mold that required testing and professional remediation.  I had to move out and thankfully went to stay with my dad who lived just about three miles away.  This remediation was expensive so it was a blessing to move into my dad’s cozy home with my little dog while we worked on the house.  Remember the sore toe?  It had gotten much worse even after several rounds of different antibiotics.   I was sent to a specialist who diagnosed osteomyelitis, bone infection.  This third storm wave meant home daily infusion treatment through a pic line.  I could not work on my house, just trust the crew I had hired, and was captive to that gravity pole of meds about four hours a day.  Blessing number two, my dad had round- the -clock caretakers due to his aging health.  They helped take care of me in so many ways and we became a sisterhood there with my dad.  The fourth storm was when my doctor was not pleased with my progress and added a new infusion drug on top of the others.  An allergic reaction sent me to the hospital very sick and covered in burning hives.  Taking several days to recover enough to leave the hospital, I determined that I would no longer take meds, but go see an orthopedic doctor for a biopsy or give up my toe.  When I had that appointment, the sun began to shine again as they did some more scans and revealed they did not see any sign of the bone infection!  “Thank you, Jesus!” I responded to the small crowd of professionals in my room.  “Thank yo,u Jesus!”

Sunlight had often peeked through the dark clouds of the many weeks of storms.  God was with me in my spirit and through the living angels all around;  my family, friends, and church were there to help, encourage, and pray for me.  During some of the hardest painful moments, I felt relief from their prayers.  There were times of complete surrender, that is when I felt God lift me up and give me peace.  My dad’s caretakers, sweet women, helped bathe me, wash my hair, and bring me good meals as I sat still with the treatments running through my veins.  

Through my storm, I felt a purpose that gave me joy.  I had new opportunities to share God’s love for others in hospitals, clinics, and on an ambulance ride by sharing little metal crosses engraved, God loves you.  Sometimes that opened doors for me to pray for them.  Even in an ambulance, only God could help me do that.   Dad’s caretakers and I shared Bible study, online sermons, devotionals, and binge-watched Downton Abbey.  I could be available, in my state, to be present and listen.  These activities helped me to endure, get well, and be in the community.

Once my house had been restored, better than before, I went back home.  My body had healed and I had become stronger.  I realized later, one of the greatest blessings was the special time I had with my dad, which would not have happened except for the storms.  Dad passed away about a month after I went home, so that time together was an unexpected gift for both of us. By April I was healthy enough to take a short pilgrimage back to Bellingham, to enjoy the Tulip Festival in Skagit Valley and the wonderful sunny days on the Salish Sea around the San Juan Islands – grateful for life renewed after the storms!

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, Bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not His benefits:  who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103: 1-5

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43: 18-19

Prayer: Precious Savior, be with us in all the hurricanes of our lives. Help us to find strength in you and comfort in your love. Amen.