Monday the 3rd of October, Leon brought the lawn ornaments and furniture into the garage. Tuesday we got batteries, gas, cash, and canned food. Wednesday a man came to put up the hurricane shutters and the house became rather dark at that point. I got out two large candle jars and some extra pillar candles that would fit comfortably into the jars without having an open flame. Washed necessary clothes, put flashlights on the kitchen counter, put our meds in two small baskets on the kitchen counter. Wednesday Brett called to remind me to fill the tub with water for flushing the toilets and washing. Also suggested freezing water in bowls to put into the frig when the electricity went out so they would keep the food cold as they melted. Thursday, paid any bills that would be coming due in the following week, put a flashlight by each side of our bed, ate supper, emailed our family, had our private evening devotions, and checked the weather on the TV. We were very tired.
We looked at each other and said, “We have done everything we can do. We have to depend on the Lord to move the hurricane away from land in Melbourne and trust Him to protect us.
Without any fear or anxiety, we went to bed, resting in the peace of Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You ”
Emily woke up once at 1:45 and the electricity and TV were still on, but the wind was starting to blow. The local channel said that the hurricane would hit between 2:00 and 3:00. She went back to bed. That’s all we knew until 10:15 Friday morning. Friends said the wind was howling, windows were rattling, and palm trees were bending almost to the ground AND WE SLEPT THROUGH IT.
Now you might say that it was because our hurricane shutters were so secure and soundproof. You might say that it was because we were so tired. You may be right on both counts. But we would rather believe that it was because we were secure in the knowledge that God was watching over us. Because you see, by the time it reached Melbourne it was a Category 3 and had moved out to sea about 20 miles. By the time it was by St. Augustine it had moved back to shore.
We call it our Matthew’s Miracle. Our God is a mighty God and a strong tower. And we had rushed to His shelter.
Guarded Hearts 