In my last newsletter I entitled a section, “From Beauty to Heartache.” I talked about going from a beautiful retreat at Ft. Walton Beach to home a few days after Helene. Even though we did not suffer damage to our condo, so many did. Not just damage but life altering destruction. There are no words to share how your brain tries to make sense of street after street being filled with people’s belongings. As you know, after Helene hit Florida, along came Milton. We are thankful that God protected us from another surge, but the wind and rain did enormous damage. A surge would have made it worse. The wind knocked down tree after tree and debris is everywhere.

I entitled this writing, “From Beauty to Chaos,” because it’s hard to explain what we feel in our emotions. Seeing chaos on a daily basis can make you feel unsettled, confused, and enormous sadness for the people all around us. As I think about our move to Florida, I’m thankful that God made it so clear that this is where we are supposed to be. There’s no second guessing. I keep hearing in my mind, “For such a time as this.” Our constant prayer has been that we can be salt and light in our community. But when you see this much catastrophe, you feel like you don’t even know where to start. At the same time, you feel a huge pull that you must help.

I was sharing my heart with Tim when a ministry leader reached out to me on Messenger this week. This is someone I started following on Facebook, because one of our pastor’s wives recently started working with this organization. They work with burned out ministry staff and pastors, but they also work with people who have experienced catastrophes. We chatted on direct messenger, and she has offered to train us in CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing). This felt like a direct answer to my prayer.

This morning as I sit in my Florida Room looking out at enormous beauty, a young dolphin swam by. Of course, I tried to video it, but with no success. It felt like a gift just for me from my Heavenly Father. He has custom made gifts for you too!

I can look out one window and see beauty. But if I look out the front of our building, I see tragedy. It makes me think about so much teaching that says we can feel sorrow and joy at the same time. You can experience happiness even when you are grieving. We are wired to feel more than one emotion at one time. Some might feel guilty if they feel anything positive when there is heartache everywhere. It does not lessen the fact that you or others are hurting when you have a pleasant thought or day. I am thankful I can experience a break in my pain through setting my mind on the faithfulness of God or the kindness of an individual or a beautiful sunset. I am smiling inwardly right now because two more dolphins just swam by. And again, I could not get it on video. There’s something in me that wants to share beauty!

I hope this blog can encourage someone that is hurting. Even if life is devastating, you can take a break from the devastation and set your mind on God’s presence and gifts to you. HE has promised to never leave us or forsake us! Try to look for God’s beauty somewhere today. I believe it’s crucial for your mental health. Ask HIM to show you His heart for you. I’m not minimizing how hard life can be. I’m just encouraging you to keep your eyes on the author of truth and creation, Jesus Christ. Remember, take life one day at a time. This too shall pass.