Read Time: 4 min 02 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

WEATHER

Another Hurricane

We’re talking about another major hurricane this week.

Some parts of Florida and the southeastern U.S. are still recovering from Hurricane Helene. People along Florida’s west coast had to work extra fast. Crews worked hard to clean up debris (like broken trees) left from two weeks ago because of a new threat: Hurricane Milton.

Hurricanes are rated on a scale of 1-5 based on how high their windspeeds are. Milton exploded to a Category 5 on Monday before weakening a little. It made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane last night over Siesta Key, Florida, a little south of Tampa. The Tampa Bay area hasn’t had a direct hit like this in over 100 years. 

Powerful storms like Milton bring dangers like tornadoes, wind damage, and flooding. Some places were expecting waters to rise by as much as 15 feet. People in the storm’s path could be without power and water for days (or longer!). 

A lot of people tried to leave Florida before things got stormy… like over 7 million people. It caused long lines to fill up at gas stations and bumper-to-bumper traffic.

To help, Florida opened roadway shoulders and suspended tolls for people evacuating.

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BE DOERS
It’s easy to feel helpless in a situation like this, but the Bible promises that prayer is powerful and effective (James 5), causing things to happen that would not have happened otherwise. If you haven’t already, stop and pray.

Also, please join us in giving to on-the-ground relief efforts.

“Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (CSB) (read full passage)

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
We cannot grow tired of doing good.

With back-to-back massive hurricanes (not to mention near-constant updates on wars and other tragedies), it’s easy to feel fatigued and grow numb to the pain and suffering. Galatians 6 speaks directly to this feeling, reminding believers to “not grow tired of doing good.”

There will always be people in need, and Christians should be endlessly willing to help.

What response to this story do I want to model for my children?
Being in awe of God. 

Despite all our technological advancements, we are still humbled by the forces of nature that Jesus controlled with ease. “He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 4:39

Hurricanes are an opportunity to be reminded of our smallness and God’s greatness.

• Discuss, as a family, ways you may have “grown tired of doing good” without realizing it. How can you avoid this in the future?

• Memorize Galatians 6:9 as a family: “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

• Pray for the people who are still rebuilding from Helene and for everyone in Florida who is being impacted by Hurricane Milton today and in the days to come. Remember first responders, and pray for everyone to have hope, strength, and peace.

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