Leashes of Responsibility and Finding Hope in the Wake of the Storm
This was originally written before 9/27/24 in Western North Carolina, intended to go live on 10/1/24. But then Hurricane Helene swept through, leaving devastation in her wake, halting everything, including this post.
For days, there was no power, water, or connection—no texts, no calls, no internet. This writing lay dormant. Even now, still in shock as I open my laptop, MANY remain without power, and the water may be out for weeks. The shock is slowly wearing off, but the weight continues to press on our mountain communities as they dig out from the destruction.
Miraculously, our neighborhood was spared, and we got power back after a short 4 1/2 days, but the part of me that carries all the “shoulds” that I ought to be doing and feels responsible is still struggling. The needs are overwhelming, and I’m discovering the best question for God is: "What does it look like for me to be faithful today?"
In all the chaos, there was little time to process all that was happening, but slipping away for moments in God’s Word became my anchor.
His Word penetrated deeply, bringing an undeniable knowing of His presence. Verses like:
Isaiah 54:10: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Psalm 46:1-7: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 121:1-2: "I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
The words "do not fear" carried a new weight as the mountains literally were moved around us. It was as if God was reminding me: When the earth shakes, His unfailing love remains steady.
His word reminded me that I could ask him to send angels, as I read these words:
Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”
Psalm 91:11-12: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
Even Jesus was sent an angel to strengthen Him in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). As I prayed these verses for all affected by the storm, they brought a deep sense of peace, reminding me of the power in God’s protection and provision that surrounds us even in the midst of chaos.
His Word has indeed been my wellspring of peace through it all.
Would you pray for our communities, that we would steward our time, resources, and strength well, and that God's presence and comfort would be made known. "Be still and know that I am God" – a humbling reminder that we are not. As we reach the end of ourselves, may His compassion like a beam of light help us to find our way back to Him, the source of that light.
And as for Rylee (read below), she weathered the storm alongside Andy and us. It’s safe to say that after enduring that, she’s officially part of the family.
original post….
We’ve recently added a new furry friend to our family, and in doing so, I’ve surprisingly found myself learning interesting lessons about control, responsibility, and trust.
Meet Rylee, our newly rescued one-year-old Catahoula Leopard Hound. From the moment she set foot on our property, she’s been full of curiosity and enthusiasm. Her greatest interest, however, was Andy, our existing dog, who, from the day we adopted him (13 years ago), has struggled with aggression towards other dogs.
Introducing a new pet has been a challenging process both times we’ve done it, and this time was no exception. As Rylee was eager for connection and companionship, Andy’s first instinct was aggression. He would tug forward, barking sharply at her, his body tense and rigid. Rylee, not discouraged, would retreat briefly before approaching again, eager to try.
As I watched their interactions, I couldn’t help but see myself in Andy. Especially as Andy shifted his strategy, opting for silent control. He would stand frozen, stiff as a board, his eyes tracking Rylee’s every move, as if willing her to disappear with the intensity of his gaze.
Watching him, it struck me how often I do the same? Trying to force situations into my desired outcome by sheer mental effort. Lately, this lesson keeps repeating itself. Like earlier this month, when my daughter got her learner’s permit and drove us home. I sat beside her tense and gripped by responsibility yet powerless to control the situation. She handled it well, yet I left the car with my neck aching from all the tension I’d been holding.
It became clear - just as Andy’s willful stance had absolutely no effect on carefree Rylee, my own attempts to control what’s out of my hands are both ineffective and a bit absurd. I wish I had taken a picture of his antics, comical to me but so serious to him! Watching this play out made me realize how much I, too, need to stop holding on so tightly.
After about 48 hours, something shifted. Andy’s posture softened. He started to accept Rylee’s presence, while she, in her carefree way, continued to enjoy her new environment, unaffected and unaware of his struggle.
This mirrored something deeper in me. I’ve always carried a sense of responsibility, all the things “I should do”, without realizing how paralyzing it can be. It becomes a heavy yoke, one I place on myself unknowingly. Watching Andy, I became aware of this pattern in myself: the way I attempt to “will” things to happen only to find myself paralyzed.
The first step was awareness; the second is naming this part of myself—the part that shoulders ultimate responsibility for things beyond my control. When I get curious about it, I often uncover fear: fear of failure, loss, disappointment, or rejection. But as I stay curious and share this fear with the Lord, He reminds me whose I am, and that spirit of fear is not from Him. (2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.) I’m reminded of who truly holds the world. I am not in control—God is. He doesn’t place this yoke on me; I pick it up myself.
Of course, it’s a process. There’s another part of me that wants to skip the process altogether, swooping in with the “right” answer: Let go and let God. I know that’s the truth but knowing it and living it are two different things. Like Andy, I can’t just be told to relax; I need to experience it myself.
What about you? Do you find yourself feeling responsible for things beyond your control? Do you long for a certain outcome, only to find yourself tense and frustrated when it doesn’t unfold as planned? Do you shoulder yourself with the “shoulds”?
When you notice tension in your body, consider getting curious about it. Ask yourself what fear might be underneath and spend a few moments inviting God into that space.
Breathe in and out, and let this verse settle in your heart:
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3) or the 2 Timothy 1:7 verse above.
In my experience, bypassing the struggle and rushing straight to a solution means missing the opportunity to invite God into the tension. Just like Andy needed to learn that everything was okay through experience, I need to trust that peace comes not from controlling my circumstances but from trusting the One who is in control.
A Prayer:
God, would You send us Your helper, the Holy Spirit? Show us how to release our burdens in Your presence. Give us the desire to keep our minds fixed on You, rather than on our futile attempts at control. Remind us that we can trust You with all things - in a world that often feels like it’s spinning out of control, help us rest in the One who holds it all together…
As noted above, the original post about lessons from our dogs was written before the storm. Interestingly, just 9 days after we adopted Rylee (originally named Ivy) from Asheville Humane Society, 100 animals were airlifted from the there due to the storm. I can’t help but think Rylee was meant to be part of our family, her timing ordained by God’s loving provision. In a season of uncertainty, this small but significant reminder of His care shows me that He is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating even the smallest details for our good.
Til next time…
Lisa
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If you have a friend that you think would appreciate these words, please consider sharing.
Instead of the usual 'buy me a coffee,' I’d like to ask for your help in a different way. A friend of mine owns a charming shop in downtown Asheville, NC, and due to the hurricane, there’s no water in the city. Tourists are being asked to stay away while cleanup and rescue efforts continue, which means she’s had to close her store during what should be her busiest season. If you feel led to contribute, her sister has set up a GoFundMe page to offer some support during this difficult time. Any donation, no matter the size, would be a huge help.
If the storm has left you feeling the need to share and reflect on your experience, I’m offering free sessions to support you. It would be a privilege to listen to your story. Please reach out at lisa@lisacrowdercoaching.com.
Here are some thoughts by other Hope*Writer friends:
I so very much see myself in your dog’s antics! Thanks for holding up a mirror for me.