This has been a week of storms. After having a tranquil hurricane season, the state of Florida on the west coast got pummeled by a near Category 5 hurricane in late September. I have visited the Fort Myers area and was very saddened to see the destruction there where the eye of the storm passed through.
Fort Myers is also the summer home of Thomas Edison, and I don’t know if that historic site was affected. But visiting there many years back, including the home, museum, and laboratory, I found his life fascinating. He had the gift of tenacity, tirelessly working to invent the lightbulb among the many projects he worked on.
He went through a good deal of his own personal storms to try to make things work. One of his favorite quotes is “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
We face the storms of life every day in the many situations we are in. We wonder if the destruction caused by some of these storms will ever be repaired. Thomas Edison never gave up no matter how tough things became, and the only thing we can do is work through each day as it comes and give it all to God. We ask Him to steer the rudder of the ship of life, even if we’re going through storms, and look for that safe landing on the other side.
If you’re one of those that has faced destruction or life and death situations, or just the normal storms of life, hang in there and take it one day at a time. Don’t be anxious about tomorrow. I know that’s hard to say for some folks that don’t even have a place to live. I can’t imagine that aspect, but I do know we have a God that cares for us, and I will continue to pray for those that are in dire need.
Please consider giving to Samaritans Purse, Florida Disaster Fund, or other organizations as they help in the relief efforts.