When Storms Come...

Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone,
A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed. 
                                    Isaiah 28:16

Alabama (and the South) was forever changed on April 27th with a massive tornado outbreak.  Again this week, Joplin, MO was hit with what they are calling the worst Tornado in 60 years.  The natural disasters that have happened globally is more than I have ever seen in my lifetime. 

Think back with me over just the last few years... what storms have you seen in your life?  Were they small thunder storms or massive F5 tornado's that left you devastated?  Maybe some of both.  For me, it has been at least one of just about every type storm there is.  My roof has flown off, water's have rushed in and washed away parts of my walls, pieces of my life's "furniture" has been tossed about and broken, and there has been loss of life.

Two days after the tornado's hit Alabama, my husband and I "had" to do something.  So we set out to just find places to help.  We went to Cullman and then into Hayden.  There is a small lake in Hayden where where there are some homes built around it. We drove through speechless from the destruction we saw.

We met one man who was driving his riding lawn mower helping another family move things, he had most of his own home destroyed. He asked if I had my camera and then invited us to walk down to his house and his neighbors to take pictures.  His home was destroyed for the most part, but there were some walls left.  However, next door a beautiful 3 story house was completely destroyed.  There was nothing left but rubble.  Those around shared the story of the couple who survived.  Glory to God. 

There is one thing that remained, wherever we went.  Regardless of business building or home, the foundation was still there.  Everything else may have been shaken, moved, ripped, toppled or blown away, except the FOUNDATION! 

Now think again about your storms... what remains?  For me it is my foundation.  Everything that I have, I have purposed to build on the foundation of Christ.  My foundation is my relationship with God.  My foundation is my salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ.  My foundation is the Holy Spirit that dwells within me.  My foundation is STRONG and can not be moved. 

Regardless of what happens in my life, my foundation remains steady.  Now, that does not mean I do not cry, get angry, grieve, feel sad, pray harder, ask God 'why'?  It does not mean I do not find myself curled up in a ball wondering what next... but I'm curled up on top of that foundation.  My foundation is never shaken... my foundation is solid.  My foundation is my hope and joy that I can rebuild again.  Brick by brick, piece by piece... slow or fast, I can build again.

Most of the people we were privilege to talk to after the tornado's were Christians and knew everything would be ok.  That their "foundation" was still solid.  But in our conversations, almost every time, the comment came... "I can not imagine what would happen if I didn't have my relationship with God.  How do those lost without the foundation of the Lord, find hope and joy and peace in the midst and aftermath of the storm?"

So, may I ask you....  WHO is your foundation?