What Do You Do When the Bottom Falls Out
By Steve Williams
Mitchell County
On September 27th, I witnessed the bottom fall out right before my very eyes. That morning, as Hurricane Helene intensified, my wife and granddaughter went down into the basement for safety because the winds were raging. I stayed upstairs, keeping an eye on what was happening. I walked over to the basement door and was talking to my wife, telling her things were getting worse, and trees were starting to fall. She told Makaila they needed to pray and ask God to send angels to protect them through the storm.
As I looked down at them, I saw a 40-inch red oak tree crash through our house. Beverly jumped on top of Makaila to protect her. I saw the floor above them collapse onto them, and it felt like a nightmare unfolding right before my eyes. I thought for sure Beverly and Makaila had been killed. I started screaming, certain they were gone. But then I heard their voices. Miraculously, they were alive.
Makaila was able to squeeze out of a 12-inch gap in the debris. Beverly’s hips were trapped under the fallen floor. I was running around in a panic, unable to lift the heavy debris or do anything to help her. But God was there in the light. He heard their prayer. Beverly remained calm throughout, and as she searched for a way out, she saw a light shining to her right. She managed to free her hips and, using the small gap, scooted out on her back. Following the light, she found an open space where the second floor hadn’t collapsed all the way. They both got out with only bruises and scratches. Makaila’s ribs were sore, but it wasn’t clear whether it was from the falling debris or from where Beverly had jumped on top of her.
That day, God showed me something important. I realized many of my so-called priorities were misplaced. I learned that stuff is just stuff—things can be replaced, but lives are precious. I saw how quickly everything can change, and how fast life can be turned upside down. I am so thankful to God for sparing the lives of Beverly and Makaila. If it weren’t for His protective hand, that day could have had a very different ending. Thank you, God, for saving my family’s lives.
To God Be the Glory!
Pastor Steve Williams
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Steve Williams is the pastor of Berry Chapel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, North Carolina. You can read more good Christian news from Steve HERE.
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