
I almost didn't write tonight. But, since the last post I wrote was 2 days ago, and it was about the tornado that hit our little town, I figured I'd better post something, or you all would send in a search team to find me. Only...you'd find me tidying up my messy house, doing a load of laundry, making a batch of strawberry freezer jam, and putting away approximately 42 pairs of my daughters' shoes they have strewn all over the house.
And none of those things are tornado-related. I have no excuse for not writing after the tornado--except life.
We have power back at our house, and are SO thankful that no lives were lost in the tornado's destructive path.
We have friends who have lost trees in their yard, and lived through the tornado's terrifying roar, while destroying their neighbor's homes. We know people who have lost their homes. And we know people who have lost their jobs and their businesses to the tornado.
And yet, we have hope.
Branson is a small town, with a mighty spirit. Just ask anyone who lives here.
Oh, but we don't have any special formula for that hope.
There's no big secret why our town has such a mighty spirit.
Once you get to know us, it's pretty clear... Whether times are good and our economy is booming and people are smiling; or times seem devastating, and crumbled buildings and homes and lives seem overwhelming...
We look to the One who created it all, created us all. He will carry us through. Good or bad, He will sustain us. He will give us peace.
Our town worships a faithful God. Inside brick churches and wood, big churches and little, wild and crazy churches and stuffy ones, and even a log cabin church or two.
And come Sunday--we will be worshipping Him again. Thanking Him for life, and for protection. Thanking Him for the strength to rebuild and renew.
Surely my soul remembers
And is bowed down within me.
This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”
-Lamentations 3:20-24
How do you stay hopeful?
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