Who would think that a furious storm could cut a swath of memorable damage, creating a new perspective?

 

 “Come outside and look!” Paul called with novelty in his voice. “The winds have toppled the spice tree; and now it is pushing the hog plum tree toward the house!”

 

 “ Our hog plum tree?” I queried with uncertainty

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 “Look at the guinep tree dancing! You have to see this now or you will miss it!”

The excitement in Paul’s voice forced me to the patio. Twisted awning, a damaged fence, fallen custard apple tree and a wiggling guinep tree greeted me. I squeezed through the backdoor and stood on the patio, watching the howling tornado.

 

Paul said, “The wind must be a good 80- 90 miles per hour now. You see how that tree is staggering. Watch it. Any moment now.”

 

While Paul was speaking, a giant hand, like an angry dentist, yanked the barren guinep tree from its mooring and threw it, snapping a nearby wooden light pole in half and pulling down electrical wires. The chain link fence at the front and a wall that separated the adjacent property collapsed under the weight of the monstrous tree. Paul and I ventured to the spot, now a gaping hole. I returned to the house for my 35 mm SLR and began a photo journal.

 

Before long, neighbours armed with cutlasses, hatchets and machetes began the tedious task of chopping up the tree. The street was blocked; and it would take community effort to clear one lane for traffic. Then, I climbed over the debris and inspected the backyard. Branches from another barren guinep tree rested on the roof.  A pensive gowling paced the chain link fence, maintaining a northerly direction. An observant owl or young hawk perched silently under my bedroom window. In the hog  plum tree, a tiny brown bird hopped gaily from limb to limb.

 

 “Where is our grapevines?” I asked Paul.  I had looked forward to tasting plump, purple Concord grapes and white grapes from the vine that had run wild on the clothes line and in the hog plum tree.

 

 “Gone. They may be in South Beach or Andros by now!  Check out the bananas”, Paul suggested. Before the hurricane, we had secured the banana shrub (tree) to the hog plum tree since we were not sure that they were ready.  Now, Paul cut the bunch of bananas into hands and I placed them into a big, brown shopping bag (sack).  While I sat on a branch of the overturned plum tree, Paul  chopped up the banana tree, making room for the surrounding suckers.

 

 “Will the hog plum tree die?” I asked sadly.

 

Paul inspected the tree. Some of the roots were exposed but the tree was still anchored.

 

 “It may and it may not,” he concluded. ” We have to wait and see.  Maybe I can put some dirt over the exposed roots and remove any dead branches.”

 

Within days, the hog plum tree and the other guinep tree in my parents’ yard sprouted new leaves. The news of a proposed guppy pool, which Paul and I discussed, and the delicious hog plums brought a flock of unfamiliar investigating birds. Finches appeared in pairs one day and singly the next day.

 

Before the storm, Hurricane Floyd, the hog plum tree was accessible to a few, namely climbers. I was limited to what I could reach by pulling on a limb and tiptoeing.  When the plums from those branches were gone, I had to wait for gifts from climbers.  After the storm, the children in the neighbourhood had fun.  Turned on its side, the children saw the tree from a different perspective. Some of the high, inaccessible   branches were now within reach.  The news spread quickly and children from far and near asked permission to pick hog plum. They picked the green ones to eat with salt and pepper, the half ripe ones with a blush of yellow to eat with hot sauce; and the bright yellow, ripe plums were   savoured for their nondescript flavour and taste.

What spiritual lessons can individuals learn from a toppled and twisted hog plum tree? 

 

Here are several thoughts that are worthy of consideration.

 

Be rooted and grounded in Truth.

When a literal storm like Andrew, Floyd or Isabel appears, preparation is important.  However, trees that survive a storm must be firmly anchored.  Gale force winds will snatch anything in its path.  Spiritually, hiding the Word of God in the heart will keep an individual secure   when winds of doubt, fear, false doctrine, adversities and temptations batter the fortress of the mind and the will.

 

As long as there is sap, you have not been zapped.

 Trees depend on sap for their life. Jesus tells Christians to abide in the Vine and be nourished daily with food from the Life Giver. The source of strength and life for a believer is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Roots that keep a Christian anchored are prayer, daily Bible reading, fellowship with other believers and joy in service to others.  Love   for God and our fellowmen ensures life.

 

Nobody is strong.  

The banana plant was tied to the hog plum tree because the plum tree was sturdy and banana shrubs fall during the slightest breeze.  However, although the hog plum tree had weathered Inez, Donna, Andrew and others, it was Floyd who exposed the roots.  The plum tree fell in winds of 80-90 mph not 120-150 mph.  God could still use the plum tree so He did not allow it to be battered by brute winds of greater magnitude.  Every Christian is tested according to his or her strength.  Faith is the gauge; and every trial is for a good purpose when you love God.  Everyone falls short in the sight of God.

 

Stand in the strength that God supplies through His Son, Jesus the Christ.  Sometimes Christians depend on feelings or outward manifestations of others and feel secure in their trust. During the twentieth  century, many spiritual tragedies, misfortunes and deceptions proclaim that the arm of flesh will fail you.  Put your trust in the Kinsman- Redeemer.

 

The purpose of God provides a new perspective. 

 The plum tree got another chance to bear fruit. God in His wisdom provides man with new mercies and His grace with each new day.  Sometimes a life is twisted. Maybe an individual has to fall in order to gain a new   outlook on life. God in His divine purpose and wisdom  provides Himself as the shelter during the storm.

 

 Many people, whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Floyd,     received new homes and a new lease on life. The accompanying flood and destruction destroys memories from the past, but each day God provides opportunities to make new memories.  There is insurance against the damage and flood from a hurricane but it never provides full coverage. God is the best assurance; and He is free.