Through the Flood

Isaiah 43:2  “When you pass through the waters. I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”

 

 
    Saturday, August 29, 2017, will be the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.  I could not let it pass without relating to you how good and how gracious the Lord was to my husband and I during this very trying time. I also pray that our experience might be an encouragement to others who one year ago went through a flood.
     Twelve years ago we had been married for 37 years and had lived in our home in Slidell, La for 23 years.  I say this to make you realize how much “stuff” we had accumulated.  (Yes, some of it was junk, but much of it was things that meant something to us, mainly because it was ours.)  Well, the storm sent the flood and put 6 foot of water into our home and four trees on the roof.  No, it was not just water, it was muddy filthy water.  Ninety-nine percent of our possessions were ruined and the house had to be completely gutted.  It was quite a shock………..but we can’t dwell there long…………. for the abundant gracious love of our God, who brought us “through the water,” was overwhelming.  Our precious children here in Baton Rouge, La took us into their homes, giving up their own beds and bedrooms for our comfort.  Never once did we feel “homeless.” 
      Phone calls, cards and gifts came “flooding” in.  Not only did local family and church people help, but one month and one week later a 24 foot rental truck arrived and it was filled with furniture, clothes, and household  items—–everything needed to set up housekeeping again.  These had been collected by family and churches in North and South Carolina.  We never lacked for anything.    “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19.  It was amazing and we know God provided.
     Actually, our “loss” was minimal for it was only earthly possessions which “moth and rust doth corrupt”  Matthew 6:19.  Many many people had experiences similar to ours, but many people also lost the lives of their loved ones or their own lives.  God’s Word says in Romans 8:28, ” And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose.”   In God’s great and wonderful plan for our lives, He knew all about this and worked all things for our “good.”  How thankful I am.  How I praise and glorify Him. Now twelve years later, God is still taking care of us, as we have faced other serious trials.  Five times in the Bible God says,  “The just shall live by faith.”  Hebrews 10:38   Let us continue to live by those words believing and trusting God’s plans for our lives.  Then we shall have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding, which shall keep our hearts and lives through Christ Jesus.”  Phil 4:7
 
Theme: The Better Way: Believing in God’s Plan is Good: Trusting God’s Plan Completely is Better
 

About Gail Slawson

I am a 74 year old wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. After 54 years of marriage, my husband and I have been richly blessed with 4 wonderful children and their wonderful mates and 19 precious grandchildren, five of whom are already with the Lord and 5 great-grandchildren. My husband and I are busy retirees and reside in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where we serve the Lord Jesus Christ through Bible Studies, as mentors in our church and telling others about Him "as we go." Mark 16:15
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3 Responses to Through the Flood

  1. Roger says:

    Our God is an awesome God.

    Like

  2. Allison says:

    Mrs. Gail. That was so well put. It touched me in so many ways. WE should never tire of hearing this truth. God Bless

    Like

  3. Thanks for sharing your story with us. My heart goes out to you…losing all your possessions. But God is good.

    Like

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