In times of storms: Bend, never break.
When a hurricane passes through, it usually destroys everything in its path! If you have gone through one, you know perfectly well what I’m talking about. If not, congrats. You have missed out on one of the most devastating circumstances that a human being can experience.
New Orleans was my home. I grew up, studied, and lived there happily for many joyful and successful years, right next to my mother who had brought my daughter and me there decades ago.
Let me share with you a little about this charming place:
St. Charles Avenue is one of the loveliest avenues in the world, with intertwining, humongous oak trees adorning the avenue that’s filled with beautiful mansions. The famous New Orleans streetcars ride along the middle section, taking locals and tourists to and from the downtown area to the beautiful Garden District and parts of the Carrollton area. It is one of the oldest operating trolley lines in the world.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck our beautiful city. Big Easy natives – along with my daughter, mother and I – experienced the deadly storm that kept us from our homes and businesses for weeks after the levies failed and flooded our beloved New Orleans with water (up to 12 and 15 feet high in some areas)!
We saw magnolia trees, pine trees up to 120 feet tall, and giant oak trees uprooted and knocked over as if they were mere twigs. They could not withstand the force of hurricane winds. But there was a tree that could not be torn down. The wonderful and stately palm.
When I built my house, I planted 16 palms in the backyard and several Queen Palms brought over from Florida. Palm trees reminded me of my hometown and I wanted to hear their whispering leaves through the early December breezes that would take me back to childhood memories.
Those thin, long and tall palms endured what other strong trees could not. The palm tree is designed to bend – its highest part bobbing over the ground – without breaking. Imagine having the power to bend for five hours and more without breaking! They are so flexible that even after a major hurricane or strong storm, the palm tree can bounce back easily to its original state. Palm trees even tend to grow more after being buffeted by a storm!
When we got home after three weeks, my palm trees were better than ever, standing majestically in place and awaiting our arrival. As if nothing had happened. Why am I telling you this? Because that is exactly how life is.
We went through difficult times after losing our entire home to the floods. Our faith was tested heavily. We traveled from one state to another, town to town, without a place to call home for months. It broke our spirit and depleted our strength, many times making us feel like life had no purpose. But then I remembered the palm…
Maybe you have received a terrible medical report, your husband has told you he’s leaving, your daughter is rebellious, your job is hanging by a thread… Just one of life’s hurricanes can make you feel as though ALL of your dreams have died and that suffering is the only answer from here on in. To this, I have to tell you firmly, NO! Please don’t allow yourself to fall into victimhood like I almost did a decade ago. There is hope, I promise.
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree ~ Psalms 92:12
It is during these devastating times we need to rebound like the palm. Be flexible. Bend in the face of adversity. Refuse to let your spirit be broken.
Remember that God created you to prosper and triumph. You are here to fulfill your purpose. There is hope. You just need to bend. Steve Jobs said, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
You know what I have named myself after all of these losses, trials, and tribulations? Elsie Perseverance Mendez. Why? Because I have learned to be strong in the Lord. My faith has carried me through trying times. And even if things look bleak, Darling, I will remain standing strong, just like the beautiful grand palm tree.
If you are going through a storm today and the winds are gaining strength, making life seem intolerable… If you feel you are going to break, I am here to tell you to HOLD ON! Wait, just a minute longer. Take a breath, resist submitting to victimhood, and BEND.
Rebound like the wonderful, stately palm. Get back up and show your strength. Happy days are coming your way.