Lord Willin'...and the Creek Don't Rise
A few years ago we had a gathering of friends at my home. The kitchen was under construction, the washer and dryer were on the porch, the fridge was in the living room, which was a bad idea in hindsight since we couldn’t get to it. So, we were living out of a cooler and I was cooking with an iron skillet on the fire pit. No matter-we had a good time with some great folks.
Our friends brought food and we set it out on the washer and dryer. I don’t remember what we ate, but I remember there were cookies. I still have the plate they were on. There’s been plenty of times that I could’ve returned that plate to it’s owner...but I think I keep it because it reminds me of those friends and that time-that time the creek rose.
That evening was full of laughter and the warmth of friendships between four families. We celebrated the times we’d had together as we prepared for life to take us all in different directions. We comforted one another with promises to keep in touch and see each other soon, but we knew that was a lofty promise since we really didn’t know what the future would hold. We didn’t even know what tomorrow would bring.
That night, heavy sleep with full and happy hearts was soon disrupted with the sound of heavy rain. Pounding rain thundered on the rooftops of our homes. Streams and rivers swelled at their banks and soon downed trees came together at the bends in the winding draws. The creeks couldn’t hold the quickly gathering water. There’s no containing Mother Nature when she’s in her full fury and that night, she was angry.
Awakening to knee deep water in the house isn’t something you think to prepare for and having to be removed from your property in an air boat around here is unthinkable. Who even has an air boat in these parts?
No matter how many times we flippantly said, “good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise” we weren’t prepared for latter. Had no incling of it. But it didn’t matter, it happened and there wasn’t anything we could do about it but get through it-Lord willin’.
Before the sun came up and revealed the true destruction, friends ran to aid friends and even those that they didn’t know. Wielding flashlights, pulling John boats, bringing ropes, trucks and anything that could be grabbed was gathered and used to clear paths for the water and try to save fences and livestock. Homes that could hold them welcomed folks whos homes were under water. Prayers for safety were sent up over and over.
Finally, once everyone was accounted for and the water receded, the incredulous damage was assessed. Many families were stranded due to access from their property being completely washed away. Some were forced to find alternative housing until their homes could be repaired. Animals were injured from the force of the water causing logs to slam into them and of course, some drowned. It was a sad and humbling time.
Months of clearing, repairing and recovering commenced as the tiny town came together and joined forces to help one another.
Today, the memory is still fresh and each time it rains we all feel the prickly hairs on our neck rise up with anticipation, and we’re more careful about our comments when we relay our “see ya later” and “Lord willin’” comes to mind. I can’t say I’ve included the “and the creek don’t rise” part since that day.
The creeks are wider now. Banks eroded from the pure power of that rushing water. Hopefully they won’t rise that way again. But, there’s no way to really know. It’s eye-opening to realize how little control we actually have. Puts things into perspective.
What a comfort to know that when I tell my family I’ll see them later, I know for sure I will. That’s one thing I’m sure of, no matter what tomorrow brings. The Lord is willin’, even if the creek does rise.
Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
James 4:14-17 “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life: It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.For that ye outght to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Matthew 6:34 “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
If you have a hard time understanding that, better work on it.
*BACF interpretation: Why fret and worry about tomorrow when you aren’t even certain you’ll have it. Get right today! And let the Lord sort it out.
