You can't stop the flood...or the train

I took this picture back in September in the flood ravaged parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We drove downtown (where we could) and saw all the buildings, businesses and homes that were completely destroyed. Glass was broken, buildings were crumbling, houses were abandoned. And then on the side of a jewelry store was this spraypainted sign, We Survive. A small glimmer of hope among destruction.

I've been reading in the book of Acts lately how the early church was formed, how Stephen was murdered and persecution scattered the believers, how the gospel was preached no matter what and how the church survived everything thrown at it. And then there's Job - the man who lost everything, but refused to curse God.

And you know, you can't stop a flood. I can't prevent suffering in my life, but I can respond to it. And I am determined, that where the enemy has come in like a flood, and wrecked and ravaged what I have built - I am not going down without a fight. I will break out my spray can and declare that I am going to survive. The walls will be re-framed and repainted. The cracks in the foundation will be repaired. And what the enemy meant for evil, my God will turn around for good. And I'm just crazy enough to believe that my declaration displayed on my brokenness will give others a reason to hope.

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P.S. Tomorrow look here for the lighter side of life. I'm back!