What Happened a Year Ago

During these exact days, a year ago...

this is what happened to our  beloved, sunshine State...

January 2011 was the worst Queensland Flood

 the state had experienced since the 1970s...

It was really bad... 

I mean, look at the this ^ picture. 

A town about two hours from us was flooded by an inland tsunami...

Suddenly...

Horrifyingly...

It killed many lives.

people stranded on their roof, waving for help

It destroyed many homes...

And traumatized families...

It started in December 2010, up in northern Queensland with many outlying areas getting sever flooding. But then it moved...

To Toowoomba... 

A few hours later that same day,

The City of Brisbane was basically evacuated hours before the river overflowed...

 and flooded the whole inner city...

The City Centre... beautiful and historic,

 that my family and I had driven through only a few weeks before, 

was flooded.

A home basically flooded to the roof...

a bird's view of the city of Brisbane, QLD during the floods

eerie beauty midst the storm

Streets washed over, and looking more like a lake!

The floods forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities. At least 70 towns and over 200, 000 people were affected. And an estimated 35 lives were lost, most probably more...

Brisbane River, overflowing its banks

Suncorp Stadium flooded

images via Couriermail and Google Images

Though we weren't directly affected (other than preparing evacuation bags, and finding a lack of water and basic supplies at the nearby Shopping Centre, nervously watching the news every moment for the list of suburbs in danger etc, and spending lots of time on our knees in prayer!!!!), we were greatly grieved by the tragedy around us, the loss of homes and businesses, but most of all the precious loss of life. An example of the tragedy that really shook the nation was 13 year old Jordan Lucas Rice who died after insisting that his 10 year old brother Blake be saved from the flood waters before him. He drowned along with his mother and has been dubbed by the public as an Australian hero...

But sadly, people forget...

I know the Lord was bringing Queensland to its knees...

There was a purpose for all this,

And yet we cannot forget, or pass it by.

That's why I just wanted to post about this today.

So that we will remember and seek the Lord more for our nation, for a revival and a turning to Him.

...If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7: 14

Personally during that time, I learnt a lot. Especially about fear. It was one of those rare times in my life (especially in as I grew older) that a real danger was not too far from home and was liable to directly affect us. I clearly remember that though of course we felt worried and 'fearful' about what would happen, the Lord truly gave us unspeakable peace. I struggled a while thinking, Lord, please, please don't let the flood waters affect us! But slowly I felt His peace flood my soul, that peace that the world does not know. I realized that no matter what happened... we were safe in His arms. And all I needed do was to trust in my Abba Father.

The Lord comforted me with two special versus from the Bible during this time and I'd like to share them here. I know that no matter what happens in the future, these versus we can take with us into the 2012 as well.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

      And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. 

      When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, 

      Nor shall the flame scorch you."

Isaiah 43: 2

"For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You
         In a time when You may be found; 
         Surely in a flood of great waters 
         They shall not come near him.
 You are my hiding place;
         You shall preserve me from trouble; 
         You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32: 6-8

"They shall not overflow you" what a promise of the Lord to us, both in the trials of life, and in our spiritual journey! Even when we walk through darkness, water and fire... they shall not overflow us! Psalm 32 also really encouraged me to trust the Lord for protection and deliverance. He is our hiding place, our great Fortress. Let us trust in Him and thank Him for His faithfulness even in the midst of suffering and trial. Because Jesus is Victor!