Leading Through the Derecho

There are many thoughts and reflections from the big derecho storm running through my mind that I can’t wait to express in the weeks ahead.  However, there is one overriding theme that stuck out from the storm -- the value and care of family.

On Saturday morning, after we realized the magnitude of the storm and that power wasn’t going to be restored any time soon, we had the opportunity to travel to my in-laws who had power and A/C.  I was torn about what do to.  Do we stay or do we go?  What if the myMISSION girls needed help?  But then what about my child who has a heat sensitivity (heat hives/rashes) and has all of his food allergies (some life-threatening) and what would we do if power was out long-term?  What would a "real leader" do in times like these?  Would they stay and try to "save the day" or would they lay that aside and take care of their family instead (which sometimes isn't as "glamorous")?  And, would the girls understand if I left town and wasn’t physically there during an uncertain time like this (ah, the lies Satan loves to plant in our minds...)?

I prayed for wisdom and felt God telling me to go, to care for my family first and to trust Him because He had everything under control.  As we began traveling down 29 through both counties in our Association, God gave me such peace about leaving town.  For all 28 names on the myMISSION roster (whether active or inactive), God reminded me that their parents, in-laws, siblings or close friends live nearby.  He reminded me of the strong family units that these girls had here and how that was one blessing of living in a rural area.

In our Association, families are so intertwined in their daily lives that when disaster strikes, it’s only natural for them to pull together and to take care of each other.  So, all of the myMISSION girls had somewhere to go, someone who would check on them, etc.  It was God’s way of telling me to let go, to learn from them and to care for my own family right now. 

While at my in-laws, my mother-in-law’s example and actions spoke louder than her words.  She welcomed us with open arms, enjoyed our presence and gave everything she had.  She allowed my son and I to stay with her a few extra days while my husband returned to work/home without power.  She made us feel like we had a home away from home.  If we were loud or messy or inconvenienced her, we never would have known for it was a true joy for her to have us in her home.

There were moments when I felt like I "should" be at home and available for the myMISSION girls in case they needed something.  Yet God quieted those thoughts and reminded me that I desperately needed this downtime to rest, to be ministered to and cared for by my mom-in-law, and to be there for my husband and son during this uncertain time.  To do anything different in this situation would have been disobedience.

Sometimes, being a leader means following God and leading your family even if it removes you from those you lead for a short time.  God was able to do more with my concerned prayers (and extra abiding time with Him) than if I was at home running around and trying to help Him out (Acts 17:24-25).