A Focus On Him

Blown off Course

PHOTO AND WRITING BY LILLIAN CUCUZZA

As Hurricane Idalia churned through the Gulf of Mexico, it brought with it wild flamingos that were migrating from Mexico to Cuba. The flamingos were swept up in the air currents against their will and eventually landed along the west coast of Florida and as far north as Ohio. Prior to this, flamingos had not been seen in Florida for over one hundred years!

One particular flamingo, affectionately nicknamed “Peaches,” was dumped near St. Petersburg, Florida. Some fishermen spotted it struggling to stay afloat. It was exhausted and close to drowning before being rescued. It was brought to a nearby bird rescue center where it was immediately tended to, rehabilitated, banded, marked with a tracking device, and reunited a few days later with a flock found on the beaches of Fort De Soto in St. Petersburg.

Peaches was a victim of Hurricane Idalia, blown off course from her intended destination of Cuba. She had no control to fight the strong winds of the storm and was forced to surrender to whichever way the wind blew. Although out of her comfort zone, Peaches is quickly adapting to her new environment, constantly searching for food (crustaceans) to keep her alive and peachy pink.

Peaches made me reflect on one of the many “hurricanes” I’ve had in my life that threw me off course from my intended destination. When I was 18 years old, I gave my two-week notice to my employer, planning to move to Tennessee with friends and start a new business. That weekend, I fell deathly sick, and the following week, I retracted my notice to quit. After being in and out of the hospital many times over the next six months, I realized God wanted me to stay where I was. I surrendered to His will, and I immediately recovered. The doctors never diagnosed what was wrong with me, but I instantly knew what it was. God had other plans for me–even though those plans were not immediately revealed (Jeremiah 29:11). His plans were to prosper me, not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future, and what a future He gave and is still giving me. That was a “God” hurricane that kept me in place for a purpose.

AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. (ROMANS 8:28 NIV)

As I was writing this, I received a storm notification on my phone saying a certain tropical storm remains disorganized. Isn’t that what most storms in life are… Disorganized? Chaotic? Yet we can have joy, peace, and courage in the storm by trusting fully in God. His Word tells us The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

The apostle Paul gives the formula for how not to be blown off course and still have joy and peace in every storm in your life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).

Sometimes, ill winds attempt to blow us off course. If we don’t have a strong foundation to stand on, we can be easily swayed in whichever direction the wind blows, especially if we are tired, struggling, and drowning in our situation–like Peaches. When we are blown off course, we, too, can be rescued, tended to, and banded by Christ to get on the course He has set out for our lives. Be encouraged because we have the ability to resist and withstand the headwinds by standing firm in the faith and the Word of God (1 Peter 5:9).

Lillian’s passions are nature photography and serving God. She is a best-selling author, award-winning photographer, and a regular contributor to Voice of Truth magazine. Lillian uses her photography and writing talents to glorify and honor God for His beautiful creation.

Visit, like, and follow her websites: www.HisCreationsLLC.com, www.LillianCucuzzaPhotography.com, Facebook and Instagram @HISCreationsLLC,
or email her at Lillian.HisCreations@gmail. com.