September 1999 . . . towns along the southeastern seaboard were getting ready for the "storm of the century." People frantically prepared for the moment when Hurricane Floyd would finally make landfall. Shoppers searching for bread bombarded grocery stores within a 50-mile radius of my home in Pembroke, North Carolina The shortage caused much anxiety; and some people were close to the point of hysteria. In one instance two men broke out into a heated argument over the last loaf of bread on the shelf. In store after store, long lines were formed. The aisles filled with people, and shelves were emptied.

Soon after reports of Floyd's projected path were televised, the race was on. It was man against Mother Nature, and she always held an inside edge. I had gone to a local Wal-Mart to get some masking tape for the more than 15 windows lining the outside walls of my home. I had been in several stores that day, and with less than 24 hours to go before the storm's landfall, people were scurrying about like ants preparing for winter. I had gone through this same scenario many times before, but this time I had strong reservations about the impact this storm would have on my family and community. I feared that Hurricane Dennis' strange departure the month before was the Creator's warning that the worst was yet to come.

As I waited to check out, an elderly couple got in line behind me. Realizing she had forgotten something, the wife raced toward another aisle, leaving her husband holding a family-size package of Charmin. From the corner of my eye I watched as he looked around, seemingly in awe of the hustle and bustle prompted by the storm. He must have caught a glimpse of my curiosity, for he turned and gave me a warm smile. Realizing I had been caught, I blushed and returned the gesture. Appearing baffled he said, "You know, for the life of me, I just can't understand it. It was only a few days ago when we heard of a storm called Floyd heading our way. Now just look around and see how scared these people are. It just doesn't make any sense. We'll get upset about a little wind and rain, but for almost 2000 years we've been warned that Jesus is coming, and we don't give him even a second thought."

For one of the few times in my life I was actually speechless! I struggled to muster a decent reply, but all I could say was, "Ain't that the truth." The wisdom that came from this elderly stranger bore testament to the close walk he had with the Creator. At that very moment, Floyd, for me, with all its wrath and destruction, became small and insignificant. I never imagined that in an aisle in Wal-Mart I would be witness to one of the most profound statements I'd ever heard.

The drive home felt like an eternity, although it was little more than twenty minutes. I just couldn't get that old man's words out of my head — or the burden they lifted off my heart. When I got home I didn't even tape my windows. Everything I had done to get ready for this storm held no merit. I felt just about as worthless as that $1.83 roll of masking tape in the Wal-Mart bag on the kitchen floor, for I was guilty of forgetting who was really in control, and his name wasn't Floyd either.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. No matter how devastating the storms we face in life, we must always remember to place our faith in the Master of the Storm. A faith not tested is a faith not trusted, and through the Creator we are assured that whatever the outcome of our situation, we will still be standing after the storm.

• When have you experienced peace in the midst of chaos . . .crisis . . .. storm?
• Why do you think it takes a natural disaster to remind us of our mortality?
• Have you experienced a catalyst, as did the man in this story, that caused you to focus on your faith?
• What are some of the ways people witness to us?

Prayers

Opening
In some places the wind blows all the time.
It whips coattails around and rearranges hairdos.
The wind is a source of power.
May the winds of God's Spirit transform us today. (From Worship & Daily Life, Discipleship Resources, p. 19)

Closing
Read Psalm 107:1-9 as a prayer.
Creator God, forgive our hesitancy to trust. We want to be trusting. We want to build our relationship with you, Creator God. When we fall short of your expectations, we say, "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. And his steadfast love endures forever." We will not give up. Creator God will see to that. Amen.

Wendy Moore-Cummings, a Lumbee from North Carolina, works for North Carolina Utility Services and is a member of West Robeson United Methodist Church.