I'm writing this note to you on Tuesday evening (Oct. 8) as I watch the news coming from Pinellas County, Florida. Why am I so interested in Pinellas County, Florida? Several years ago, my wife, Sue, and I bought and did a complete renovation on a mobile home at his location and have been wintering there since retirement. It's been a huge blessing as our children and grandchildren visit us, and we run Alpha programs in our community.
As of writing this note, they are predicting that our little mobile home is in the direct center of Hurricane Milton's path and all of its destructive power. Many are saying that this will prove to be the most destructive storm to ever hit Florida with its storm surge of up to 15 feet, 14 inches of rain over Wednesday, winds up to 145 MPH, and numerous tornadoes.
The folks I've been talking to from the area are saying they have never seen projections like these and expect all of our homes to disappear. Since insurance doesn't cover storm surges, the loss will be complete.
I've spent a fair bit of time reflecting on this and the notion that many snowbirds will be losing their winters in Florida. For many, this is tough. Sue reminded me yesterday that since we rent out our home in Canada when we go to Florida, we will be, in essence, homeless should the storm continue on its present course and strength.
It's at moments like this that I thank God that I have loving kids who are already offering us bedrooms for the winter. Thank you, God. Unlike many in Florida, I really have nothing to worry about.
I must confess that each time I think about hurricane Milton barrelling down on our little trailer in Flordia, the Lord immediately draws my attention to our friends on the streets of Ottawa who, each night, wonder where they are going to sleep. I cannot fathom what it must be like for them to be in this situation. Winter is coming, and they have no bed, no home, and no place to cook a meal; it is truly tragic. Many of our street friends have emotional as well as psychological issues and are truly unable to help themselves. Sometimes, they find it difficult to accept the gifts we attempt to give them on your behalf. Life is so unfair.
I met a very special street friend some time ago who taught me the most wonderful life lesson. He started our conversation by saying, “God is so good.” I asked him, “In what way?”
His response, "He keeps blessing me over and over again," rocked me to my soul. Here is an extremely wise man, for he sees God's activity in ways I fear I miss. In the midst of tragedy, he confidently said that God is good and He keeps blessing. In my heart, I dropped my head in shame as my friend shared with me how God was blessing him. I fear that I don't honour God the way my street friend does.
He shared that for the past two years, he had been living under the overpass by the Riverside Hospital, and today, he had secured a room to sleep in. His response: “God is so good; He keeps blessing me.” This is an incredibly humbling understanding of God's goodness and blessings, which causes me to search deeply into my soul and ask God for forgiveness for not recognizing His goodness and blessings. I am sorry, God.
So what does all this mean? What do I know? Tomorrow, we may lose our home in Florida. I say, “So what? The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away!” I will have a great winter hanging out with my kids and grandkids. God is good.
I also know this. Right now, in downtown Ottawa, there are folks who do not have homes, a place to make a meal, or, in many cases, hope. Our Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to see Him up close and personal as we at OIM go to them on the streets and attempt to love them in the name of the one who created them and calls them His own.
There is no greater gift than giving to those He loves. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous prayer support, time, and gifts, which allow our friends to hear and experience the message that they are beloved sons and daughters of God.
~ Shawn Ketcheson, OIM Pastor
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