The Power of Water
June 21, 2012 | My Jottings
Today is a beautiful sunny day with just a few puffy clouds in the sky. Normally sapphire blue Lake Superior is a shocking muddy brown right now, because our area had a record-breaking storm the night before last, and our dozens of rivers overflowed their banks and poured into our Great Lake, bringing uprooted trees, debris and tons of mud.
Here’s an amazing aerial photo of the lift bridge in our harbor, and the huge lake beyond, taken by my good friend Bob King for our local News Tribune. 
Parts of our city are underwater, and I feel soooo sorry for people whose homes have flooded. Our mayor has declared a state of emergency, and it will take months to do the repairs; streets were lifted up and carried away, huge sinkholes opened up and swallowed cars, entire shopping centers were flooded. 
This next photo by MinnPics is of a street less than a mile from our home.
We had a few rivulets in our basement and a drip or twelve from the ceiling in our entry way, but if you could have seen the sheer volume of water that just poured from the sky, you’d understand why we aren’t upset about our dampness at all.
Our area received between 8-10 inches of rain in 24 hours. I’ve never seen anything like it. Here’s a link with some other photos, if you’re interested.
And this is a photo taken from space by satellite of our huge lake – the mud can be clearly seen.
Thankfully, no lives were lost even though so many homes and businesses have been flooded.
It often takes some kind of shakeup to get us to see more clearly the blessings we take for granted. As I type this I’m sitting in a dark theater with four of my eight grandchildren. They’re watching Madagascar 3 and I’m not. 🙂
We have more than we need. We have hugs and kisses. We have family. We have a relatively dry home. We have food in the cupboards. We have hope. We have Christ. We have hope because we have Christ.
If someday my home is flooded and my street floats away, I may need you all to remind me that blessings still abound. I pray that I’ll always be able to rest in whatever He pours out, even if I think it’s too much rain…
Oh my goodness- that sounds dreadful. Glad you are OK – how awful would it have been to be flooded out when you only just moved in?
Thank you Helen…we are counting ourselves so fortunate. Xxoo
Well said Julie, very well said. I experienced very much the same feelings during the wild fires here in So Cal. The Lord indeed lead you to a strong tower for a house. More Blessings to you my friend. I hope to see you soon!! BTW ~ so sorry if I woke you up with my texting ~ sometimes I forget the time difference. Hugs ~
Thank you dear Taun… And no problem, I was actually awake and always happy to hear from you. xxoo
I followed your link to see more pictures and I was saddened. Thankfully, no-one was killed. But there will be hard times ahead for those affected by the flooding.
This reminded me of an event here in Cornwall where a flash flood enveloped the little village of Boscastle. Again, amazingly, no lives were lost. Interestingly, the first building to be destroyed was the museum of witchcraft.
Here’s a link that shows what happened back in 2004:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxweiRNlHbo
When these things happen,it’s good to be reminded of what we have, and unfortunately so often take for granted. Lately, each morning as I awaken, God has been reminding me of how blessed I am and I usually start the day praising Him for the blessings He is pouring into my life.
One of my most favourite songs is ‘Blessed Be Your Name’ by Matt Redman. The lyrics help me to keep me balanced.
Thank you for your comments, Kay. Starting the day in praise – that’s the way, for sure. Such a needed reminder. I watched the video you sent – shocking and terrible! Oh my….
And I think “Blessed Be Your Name” is one of the best songs in the last decade – full of truth. xxoo
WOW, Julie!!! What a storm!!! We get rain all the time, but never like that… sounds like a monsoon! Glad you and yours are safe – on earth and in God’s arms.
I told Michael a few days ago before the biggest part of the storm hit, “This is starting to feel like Seattle.” Little did we know…. Thank you for your good wishes, Shari.
Wow. It looks like Brissie last year ~ only maybe not quite so bad. We regularly get those sort of torrential downpours that can put our yard under water in a matter of minutes but as we live on top of a hill we are spared the worst of it. Sadly it will be even worse when the water starts receeding. It will stink & the mud is sooo hard to remove. I am so sorry for anyone who has flooded. Their homes will be unlivibale in for months after the water goes.
PS thank you for the link. I did go & sticky, just haven’t got back to you yet! 🙂
I can’t imagine what it must be like, Ganeida. It makes me think of those in New Orleans, too. I look forward to hearing what you thought of the link…. xxoo
So much devastation – your civic authorities must hardly know where to begin :0( God protect you and yours, and keep you safe. May there be a space now for the waters to subside xxx
Thank you Ember. xx