Our Beautiful Mother Nature and Her Double-Edged Sword

Part 3 of 3 Events Etched into Minds and History

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

I start out with this scripture because it denotes the metaphorical power of what not only a sword represents but one with both edges being as sharp as a razor. Although a sword is designed to cut (your enemies) for you, it can also be dangerous if not respected and hurt you and/or your loved ones. I sometimes look at how the earth and her many fascinating (and troubling) aspects play out. “She” displays wondrous scenes of beauty and grandeur, but in some cases, she can unleash nasty weather-related horrific (and deadly) moments in the same time period. Reaching into my memory banks of (mostly) wise and always interesting sayings that, again, came from dear old Dad. He told me that living near natural surroundings like ocean beachfront properties and, at present, riverside abodes could be both helpful and hurtful.

Growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I saw firsthand what hurricanes could and would do to buildings closest to the “Ground Zero” (or the eyewall) of the hurricane. My father also pointed out the differences in the outcomes of a passing storm pertaining to the structure (and layout) of the buildings as well. Mobile homes, he said, were not a good idea to live in (or stay in) during a “Big One!” As I got older, I observed firsthand just what Pops was talking about. At present and closer to our area, we had the effects of two very dangerous and damaging storms, Helene and Milton. Only in these scenarios, it was not what the homes were made of but how close to the surge zone they were.

The oft-used saying, “Hide from the wind, and run from the water,” is a truth that should be taught to kids both at home and at our senior high schools. People (in MY OPINION) do NOT teach their older kids “leaving the nest” those important lessons in order to have a safe and comfortable life of their own.
As many of you readers know, I recently made a “personal mission run” to the weather-affected regions of the Appalachian mountains. This area should have had record numbers of seasonal tourists visiting and spending money along the very colorful vistas. Those communities have had people living safely and comfortably along the rivers and streams throughout the Blue Ridge mountains for many years. So, the tragic occurrence of the weather-induced flood damage has brought on a secondary wave of troubles that affects even those who were actually safe in their well-built (and located) homes. The tourists were frightened off by the sheer amount of horror stories that were generated by Hurricane Helene. After I made deliveries to two of the intended volunteer help points, I asked if the tools that I carried with me could help in any way regarding the massive cleanup and relief work that was going on (even at present). The regional team leader for the Cajun Navy Relief is Joshua Clark, and he let me know of a “waterborne problem” that I may be able to help with. He said that up in the Newland, NC area, there was a campground. (I use WAS as a powerful statement.)

A cluster of three large oak trees (with a root ball that spanned at least 15 feet across) washed down a sloped part of the property in a campground laced with beautiful riverside cabins. After the cabins and all the green, manicured landscaping were scrubbed off of the face of the earth, this big tree clump came rolling down the hillside and got lodged up under the main support structure of the bridge leading onto this place. Now, this bridge not only supplied entry and exit from the Buck Hill campground but also is the ONLY drivable passage into an area with at least a half dozen residences as well. This tree cluster hit the bridge support so hard that It bent in a portion of the 2-inch thick steel I-Beam vertical supports AND cracked the main cement anchor points on either side. After I mentioned the inventory of tools that I had to Mr. Clark, he asked me to go up to the camp area and see if there was anything that I could help with.

When I arrived there, I was met by another mission volunteer named Travis. He quickly pointed out the problem to be tackled. Within the next 3 hours, I found myself traversing ice-cold rapid running waters mostly up to my waist.

I was actually carried underwater, attempting to pry the second of three tree sections through the rocky river bottom as Travis worked the winch on the front of my truck. The water, combined with the 5-foot steel pry bar I was toting, did me no favors, and as I came out of those chilling waters, I shook almost uncontrollably for the next hour until I could get back into the heated truck!

That night didn’t go any better, as I had issues with having to go out of the RV at 3:15 am and refuel the generator. After coming back to mid-Florida, I found that I had picked up a “bug” through the right ear canal from being submerged in those contaminated waters and it brought on a “throbbing” headache!
Again, my pain and mal-content were only temporary compared to those still having to survive in now near-freezing winter conditions WITH CHILDREN and in tents! So, please do not forget these people in your prayers!

Until next time, be blessed, and have a God-filled pre-Christmas season!

Steve Goodwin is a recently retired Christian conservative veteran (of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division), who still feels that “duty to country” did not end when the military uniform got hung up. He and his wife Cecelia live on the edge of a beautifully wooded tract of land just south of the bypass, and are involved in not only church activities, but also attend school board meetings and local community action events as well.