HERE COMES MORE RAIN

Through the years, like all Floridians, I have gone through storm after storm and hurricane after hurricane. The hurricanes have passed by close and skirted us and some have gone right over us. You can't live in Florida long without going through this over and over.

Years ago, I lived in Mobile, Alabama, and went through Hurricane Frederick which did major damage in the Mobile area. The eye of that hurricane went right over us in the middle of the night. For hours we felt the affect of that hurricane as it approached and then it got real quiet and still for half and hour. Then it started up again.

All night it seemed the house would blow away. When it ended just before daybreak and we finally could go outside, it looked like a bomb had gone off in the night. Debris was everywhere. Trees were shredded or down. Buildings lost roofs. Cars were damaged. It was a sight to behold.

Years later, I helped in the relief effort after Hurricane Andrew. It was the worst natural disaster to hit our Nation. I was in South Miami the day after Hurricane Andrew and it was far worse than TV cameras were ever able to portray it. It was sad.

Thankfully, the present storm, Isaac, is not headed our way, but we are expected to get lots of rain, wind, and flooding. I pray for those who will be in the storm's path that it won't be so bad.

It is interesting to see how people prepare or don't prepare for storms like this. Some take it seriously while others pay little attention. I know I'll never ignore another storm or go through another hurricane. All it took for me was to go through one long night of wondering if we'd make it through the night.

One of the main things about dealing with hurricanes is that at least there is a warning of impending danger. We have known for a week or more than this storm was coming and now it is close. People can prepare if they choose too.

That is the way it is with eternity and heaven. We know that we're all mortal and that one day we're going to leave this world, but far too many don't take their mortality seriously. Yet, it is appointed unto man once to die. Death is certain for all of us and comes far quicker than we can know. None of us know when we'll leave this world, but all of us will. It behooves us to be ready.