Rising Up in Gratitude


Reflections by the Sea © Betsy Ore Glass
November 18, 2009

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. –Psalm 121 1-2 NIV

The remnants of Tropical Storm Ida weren’t supposed to leave such an impression on the Outer Banks. And the storm wouldn’t have if it had not merged with a low pressure system off of the coast. But it did. And it became a historic nor’easter event instead. Some people would have preferred a hurricane rather than a nor’easter. The thinking is that the short duration of a hurricane is no match for the long, drawn out three day pounding of a nor’easter. Looking at the aftermath of such a strong storm left many with great loses of property and whole communities that were inconvenienced because of washed out roads. The cleanup begins and loses totaled. Even though the storm clouds and heavy rains are long gone, fear of storms and all the “what ifs” linger on with many people. It is a natural response, but God is supernatural and that means we can lift all of our fears and concerns up to Him.

The Outer Banks community is already embarking on a clean up, a rebuilding, a replenishment of sorts in the attempt to look beyond the storm and into the future with a vision. The people of the Outer Banks are resilient and strong and just like so many times before, everything will be back in order again.

In church on Sunday we sang the words to the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”. The refrain goes like this: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” We can take a lesson from the strength of a community to rise up over our losses, our grief, our troubles and with our eyes upon Jesus, we can live for the future and not the past.

Thanksgiving is in a few days, and we all have something to be grateful for despite the losses that have come our way. We are all God’s children and He makes us adaptable, capable and fills out hearts with love and gratitude. However the day is spent, we must remember to give Thanks to our Heavenly Father, knowing that all blessings flow from Him!