After Ike

Metropolis looks drastically changed since hurricane Ike swept through. Trees lay toppled on every curb. Blue tarps adorn most rooftops. Traffic poles lean wearily over street corners. Electricity is still out in most places. Despite the major changes that have taken place in our fair city the greatest change I’ve seen has been in Mr. Excitement.

We went three days without water and eleven days without sanitary water or electricity. Buddy, our newborn son, was less only two weeks old and we did the best we could to keep him cool by giving him sponge baths but his appetite waned and he slept most day and night. We took shelter at Nonnie’s house through the storm but we were unable to return to our own home for twelve days due to the three story tall tree that toppled over onto our apartment. The heat and humidity was sweltering and tensions were running high.

One day, about six day after Ike blew in, Excitement drove out to the plant he works for to inspect the damage and see if any of his co-workers had returned to work. It was still deserted. Suddenly something came over him. He stood there in the parking lot viewing the desolation and he began to cry. He sank down into the seat of his car and sobbed for half an hour, unable to stop. At last, with tears still in his eyes he drove to his uncle the Preacher’s house to pour out his heart.

Once there he told his uncle about the way he had been treating me, about the way he had been treating his parents, about how hard it was for him at work, about how scared he was about making enough money to pay the bills. He cried and told him everything that had been burdening his heart and he confessed every sin. The Preacher gave him a simple answer: Give it up to God.

When he returned back to Nonnie’s house he was a changed man. His spirits were lifted and he was actually smiling and cracking jokes. He was preaching about God’s love. He was telling everyone that there was nothing to worry about, God would provide. He was urging all of us to follow his lead and turn everything over to the man upstairs. He was pleasant, he was kind, he was meek and he was gentle. He was a totally changed man.