The Island was devastated. The storm battered and shrieked with murderous intent. Homes were destroyed, trees toppled, and flood waters rose unstoppable. In the end, 37 people lost their lives in Texas and the Island of Galveston was declared uninhabitable.
But the resilience of the human soul is an amazing thing...
In less than 5 years, the historic, downtown Galveston
went from this...
to this...
Last weekend, during our Galveston Girls-Getaway, our group had the blissful pleasure of strolling the streets of downtown Galveston. We chatted, we oohed, we ahhhed, we relished the blue sky sunny day and soaked it all in... marveling that a Hurricane had so completely shattered this peaceful neighborhood just a few short years ago.
As a part of our afternoon, we took the self-guided Tree Sculpture Tour. A truly beautiful way to honor the irrepressible spirit of the Galveston people.
On September 13th, 2008, when Hurricane Ike hit, most of the Island was covered in a tidal surge. The damaging combination of powerful wind and waves immediately uprooted many trees,
but ultimately the salty storm waters led to the demise of the thousands of others. Ike forced Galveston to say a sad goodbye to so much of its beautiful tree canopy.
As restoration projects began in the devastated neighborhoods, an idea took root and spread contagious. Many of the homeowners commissioned chainsaw artists to create works of art, sculptures from the beautiful, old trees that had been killed in the storm.
Each private resident chose their theme and paid for the work. Some sculptures are large and intricate, others are small and delicate.
But all are simply amazing.
There are over 30 sculptures...and counting...
These whimsical sculptures have replaced the majestic oaks that once lined many neighborhood streets and shaded homes.
Tucked into gardens and nestled in side yards the sculptures are there for the public to enjoy.
One of our girls softly touched the wood, warmed by the sun.
It's sad, she said, to realize that these trees used to be so full of life, offering shade to those passing by, leaves to rustle in the breeze, roost to the song birds for refuge, and beauty for any who looked...
And now they are gone.
But, another said into the stillness, offering beauty still for any who look...
And they are all reminders that beauty can be carved from even the most devastating of storms.
"But now, this is what the LORD says,
'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you..."
~Isaiah 43:1-4
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you..."
~Isaiah 43:1-4
So many of us are facing our own storms.
It may be a cancer diagnosis, a marriage gone wrong,
a child lost, a financial ruin...
These are all Storms of devastation and pain,
of uncertainty and hurt, even of loss and grief...
We will all pass through the waters
and we will fear and tremble as they threaten to sweep over us...
But even in these devastating storms there will be redemption.
And there can be beauty.
Yes, the storms will change us. When the waters rise, we cannot help but be changed, and yet all is not lost, even after the ferocious intensity of the tempest...
For we are, each one, precious in His sight.
And waiting to be carved into beautiful by the Master Sculptor.
In the aftermath of our storms, as we wrestle with the grief of things lost,
May we rest, this day, in the Grace of His Providential and Tender Hand.
Finding Beauty After the Storm,
Always, Jane
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