I never knew a category 1 storm could leave such lasting effects. Well, Hurricane Hermine did just that, left me with a lot of history and a lot of Life/Faith lessons I will hold on to probably forever.
It was a history-making storm, not only because it was the first to make landfall in Florida since 2005, but because for me as a wife and mother of a 1-year old child, it was truly my first time ever experiencing a Hurricane up close and personal.
It was also the first time I experienced a storm’s effects (up close and personal), as I was one of the 375,000 people that the storm left without power, and in my case, without electricity for nearly 5-days. (Selah, as the Bible would say…pause and think of that). That alone was a definite breaking point for me, and the first time I experienced a “Faith Meltdown” in a way where I felt the need to ask God some tough questions about his strategies for answering prayers.
This was truly the first time in my Life that I felt so “out of control” for what seemed like…”so long!” Did God hear me, was He listening, was He going to answer my prayers, why did this storm have to hit my home/impact my family…after all there were other people in the same city who weren’t affected all? Being on the consoling end of this equation many times in Ministry, my immediate thoughts when people were experiencing Faith meltdowns, was to encourage them to just “Trust God” and honestly, get it together and let God do His Work.
But, as I sunk deeper and deeper into my questions on the now crisis end of things…I gained some wisdom to help me grow in my walk as a Christian, a leader, and just an overall human being. True compassion in crisis comes with an openness to really hear the person out, truly love them through their ordeal, and pray for them to receive whatever God is trying to get to them in their process. I learned it’s not about subliminal judgement as to whether a person “Trusts God” in their crisis, but it’s about helping that person grow in learning to exercise their Faith in everyday Life.
The same everyday Life that comes with new challenges everyday, that we may not know how we will respond right away. Challenges that refine us and ultimately(for those who do their best to keep God in the equation) make us stronger in Faith and in Trusting God the next time a storm comes.
That’s just some of what Hurricane Hermine taught me. To hear 3-more things the storm taught me, check out my reflection of Hurricane Hermine…in 360.
Note…This Story of Faith 360 has three scenes. Be sure to listen to the audio in each photo fully before clicking the arrow in the picture to advance to the next scene. Also…be sure to move your device around to look all around the picture for the full 360 experience! Enjoy!
L.Michelle Salvant is a Christian Lifestyle Blogger who started writing the Stories of Faith column back in 2004. A 19-Year Media Veteran, with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism, L.Michelle owns an Online Media Company/Institute which specializes in “A New Type Of Storytelling” which includes Social Storytelling, Capturing Stories through 360 Photos and Presenting Stories through Virtual Reality.
Outside of Media, L.Michelle also serves as a Ministry leader at Higher Dimension Church Tallahassee, FL She is happily married to SGT.Christopher King Salvant Sr, and they have one son, Christopher King Salvant, Jr. “Peek” L.Michelle resides in Tallahassee, FL.
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