Total loss?

Gut punch.

WTH?

SUDDENLY
You're caught off guard.
Scrambling for sure footing.

You know.
When something from
out of nowhere?
just NAILS you.

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but in the past year
midtown Tulsa was hit by a 'microburst' windstorm.
Trees everywhere were thrust UP and OUT in a matter of 10 minutes.

When my fam could semi-safely navigate the roads we got out and drove slowly.

*gasps*

I was snapping shots left and right because it was just so UNBELIEVABLE.
Oak trunks 4 ft+ in diameter were literally uprooted and laying flat.
The unbelievable was that...
This IS the beauty of living in midtown....our trees are beautifully mature and rooted.
But this day....even THESE symbols of STRENGTH were shaken.

One was down the street from me.

It didn't have the fortune of landing on grass.
No.  It landed on it's humble home of 50+ years.

It appeared to every human eye and gawker....devastation.
"Dang.  It's totaled.  Gonna be scraped.  Yet, another empty lot in our hood that doesn't attract new home builders."

But within the week, I saw something unique and interesting happen.

Tarps.

Yes, massive tarps seemed to be bungee corded ALL over this house.
Covering it's ENTIRETY...
to keep further damage OUT.

Looking back, I can see that it may have simply been to STOP FURTHER DAMAGE....
while  REGROUPING took place.

See...for the next few months, the house sat vacant.
But, tarps protected further damage.

And here's the good news.
and.
the reason for THIS  post.

YESTERDAY!!!!!!
almost a year later.

I drove by and noticed a crew installing the beautiful 'FINAL touches'.

You know, after MONTHS of crews working on inner and foundational issues,
it was finally time for-

new shutters and polished new windows.

I could so go on, as I have had the blessing of watching the daily process.

So, why did this grab my EYE and HEART yesterday?

Oh friends!  It's because it symbolizes YOU and ME!

How often does life throw us a blasted CURVE BALL?
One that completely catches us OFF GUARD?

Please, hear the gut of my heart now.

When my daddy suddenly passed in 2009....
it was as though a sudden microburst RIPPED through MY HEART and LIFE.

My daily temptation was to declare "total loss".
Here.  RIGHT here.
I can remember HOURS that accumulated....slumped in my red chair and flooded with tears.
The question...
 WHY? and WHAT NOW?

But God.
That phrase honestly used to tick me off in religious circles like no other.
But,  I'm finally seeing the beauty beyond human phrases
and more into the nature of MY GOD.

Of course.  He had other plans.
Plans to USE the devastiaton that He did NOT orchestrate.


Polished windows and new shutters to boot.
Even some foundational work that was long overdue.

Be encouraged my dear friend.
Wherever you are in the process of shock, grief, loss.

HIS business IS restoration.

And I'm so here to testify.
Grief is a brutal, challenging and necessary season.
It sucks.  Plain sucks.

But oh my gosh......it's fruit?
Somehow he strengthen us, if we allow Him to.
Last night I laid in bed rediscovering something that Im certain I will die rediscovering.

"I'm powerless. But, open to You.....something beautiful always takes place."

A restoration that I've found  EXCEEDS what was once
before.

It's ridiculously tough, but we are asked to let go of the questions (so so so hard), trust, and grow.

Hugs and prayers to you my friend.
It sure isn't easy.

But, I just had to share....
Because GENUINE HOPE does WONDERS for our spirit.
xo.

I'm confident of this.....HE will comfort others THROUGH you in the same way He has comforted you.