Protection and Help During Hurricane

Thank you for having these testimony meetings so everyone in the world can hear what God is doing.

In early August 2024, I found myself exhausted working nonstop, and this had to continue for the next three months. At that time I scheduled a 5 day pause and to drive to Savannah Beach. I travel often. Before and during my time away I stay especially tuned into God, and listen for guidance.  

This time was odd because on more than a few occasions, I felt a sense apprehension. Each time, I asked God if I should go.  Always a clear and gentle “yes”. 

On my departure day September 27th, the local news reported that Hurricane  Helene was coming to Asheville, NC, where I live. We were already saturated from a week of rains.

Then my house-sitter cancelled due to the weather predictions and evacuation plans. Again I ask God who is our ever-present help, “What should I do?.” The answer was, “You’re packed, go ahead. And call Susanna.”  Susanna does pet sitting and was hundreds of miles away. I called her. Within 10 minutes she sent Molly to my place to meet me and my three boys. Two Siamese cats and Mr Bubbles, my pet rooster. She was house sitting overnight 10 minutes away and agreed to come to my place twice a day.

I pull out the driveway and a strong thought comes to me.  “Turn around. Go back and leave extra food for the boys”. I ask how much?  “Two days”.  While I was in Georgia, the storm hit. There was no power, internet or cell in five states. With no means of communication nobody knew what was going on and where. But we all have open lines of communication with our beloved all-knowing and ever-present God who is with us ready to help.

But if we put a false god like fear before Him and give it power, well, as we learn in Christian Science, “Perfect Love casts out fear”. I promise to stay close in thought with God.

By now my chicken and cats are out of food. Molly, the pet sitter, gets on a satellite to group message her family and includes a paragraph to me that she has been unable to get to my cats and rooster; the roads are blocked with fallen trees for miles in our area.  She promises to try again on Sunday. 

I know about the weather committee here at Plainfield Independent Christian Science church. I called, and of course they were already working on it. I told them about the need to get food to my pets. As soon as I got off the phone, I felt an amplified sense of God’s presence with me.  I am especially grateful the committee does diligent metaphysical work because their dedicated prayers lifted me higher.  I knew with certainty a solution was now in the works.  Let me correct myself. The solution is always in the works. It never starts or stops. God is always guarding, guiding and governing us.  

Late next day I could not believe what happened. Molly used a satellite for a short call. She drove to about a mile from the road where my place is, and walked through the torn up woods looking for the private road. Then she saw some guy afar off and called out to him. Turns out they were going to the same small road at the same time, for the same reason. They met and he helped her find the road. Then my son showed up. Then my dear Ukrainian neighbor walked over. Her family was one of six houses trapped and nobody could get out. She offered to take over the care of my pets until I got back. Molly took a photo that day of what happened in my yard that day, which arrived much later when cell towers came up. A 120 foot pine fell – and it had a three-foot foot diameter trunk that was right next to the chicken coop. It fell and missed it by two inches. Didn’t hit any structures. I have some new landscaping now.

Anyway, just as I was packing on the day I planned to return, I saw on the internet map that the roads to my place had just opened. It seems God arranged for a schedule break and created the perfect idea, location, and especially perfect timing for the care of my animal buddies. 

And at the same time —Thousands are missing, massive regional grief and heartbreak. At night it was especially felt. Living in a national disaster area. So many stories.

I had a really hard time shaking off a sense of survivor guilt. Finally after a couple days of that, I needed a lift and I called one of the practitioners at Plainfield for some spiritual insight. This practitioner reminded me to know that God is with and surrounding each person, with divine Love and comfort. The spirituality behind her voice and words reached my consciousness. Finally I become peaceful, and dedicated my days to silent prayers. I happen to have a well so alot of people came and took showers here, because nobody had water for a long time, except the bottled water. 

I have hesitated to give this testimony for these four months. But I decided to do it because someone listening today, tomorrow or in the future may be facing a weather disaster.  I’d like them to hear this story and how I worked with it, and how God worked with me and everything around. And they can know that even when cell towers, internet and electricity is gone, God is here. Fear not. God guides, guards and governs  us. God is just a thought away.  So hold thought steadfast. This is what I learned.