As my family and I begin to settle into the normal flow of being back home, we now have to make sure that we are prepared for the Florida stormy season. The unexpected rain showers may only last a few minutes, but, if you are caught out in them, you would think you were standing under Niagara Falls.
I was painfully (or was it soakingly) reminded of this the other week while doing my normal walk-a-bout in Historic Downtown Plant City. By the time I got back to my truck, my clothes were carrying so much water that I could have taken care of the drought in Colorado.
These days, my thoughts are of the following supplies: umbrellas; tarps; flashlights and batteries; canned goods and hand-crank can opener; propane; bottles of water (both frozen and unfrozen); battery-operated radio (in case the cell phone towers get blown over); the National Weather Service handbook, “How to Survive a Hurricane;” and, finally, a lighter and candle. I’d build a tornado bunker if it would not become an underground swimming pool on the first day. Now I am ready for whatever the elements throw at me — or am I?
The momentary tempests of nature can never compare to the inner storms of our heart and lives. These storms can rage for days, weeks, months and, sadly, even years. I guess the real question is, “Are you prepared for these storms?”
Several weeks ago, I had the honor of participating in a candlelight vigil for a young woman named Misti Whitfield. She, at that time, had been missing for more than weeks, and the family and friends gathered at McCall Park to stand together, weep together, pray together and light a candle together. It was a powerful picture of a community that stood with their faces toward a storm of despair and uncertainty with a resolve that cried, “We will not back down or give up.” Every tear shed made a statement to the rain of the sky that the most precious water is that which comes from a heart that deeply loves and deeply misses their daughter and friend. There were powerful words of comfort and life spoken into the raging winds of adversity that brought calm in the midst of chaos.
Lastly, there was a candle, no ordinary candle, but one that expressed the power of hope that was able to hold the dark night of the inner storm at bay. It simply started with one candle, then five, then 20, then 50, and the lights began to flicker and shine. For a time, these lights joined together to create a resilient glow of strength and unity, yet not all candles were the same. Many were from different backgrounds, cultures, faiths, ages and walks of life.
You are probably thinking, “What type of candles are these?” The best kind — you and me. The most powerful candle to ever walk the earth is the one that shines through our life and love. This was visually evident as the crowds began to disperse at the conclusion of the vigil. Their lights, the flickering candle they held in their hand and the torch of hope burning in their hearts, began to spread out and the darkness of despair had to move back. Farther and farther, the darkness of the inner storms of uncertainty were pushed back, until only the lights were seen.
Are you prepared for these storms? If you live in the community such as Plant City, you are!
Chaplain Ret. Maj. Daniel Middlebrooks is president and CEO of Comprehensive Chaplaincy Care and Consulting and pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church. For more information, call (813) 767-2082 or email to chaplainmiddlebrooks@hotmail.com.