LIFE CAN CHANGE QUICKLY

 

     The above pictures are from a pond called New Mill Pond. It is located in Smithtown, New York at a County Park called Blydenburgh Park. No, it is not a "Photo Shop" photo, and you are not seeing things. This pond is empty! I never thought I would ever see this in my lifetime but today I did. Just 8 days ago as I am writing this blog, this pond was full. There were ducks and swans swimming along the waters. There were families fishing and catching fish. I'm sure they were most likely tossing them back into the water because the fish in this pond are very small. People were riding their bikes along the trails as well as hiking and you could hear the water falling from a dam that led the waters of this pond into the Nissequogue River. So, what happened? 

     In the early hours of the morning of August 19, which was a Monday, I got an alert on my phone like most everyone living on Long Island did. It was a weather advisory stating we would be getting heavy rains. They were not kidding. I was scheduled to work at 6 a.m. and all I can say is the rain was so severe and the word "downpour" is mild compared to what we received. The good ole weatherman first predicted this rain would be severe in Connecticut, but I guess his radar was off as I hit the north shore of Long Island, especially Smithtown, St. James and Stony Brook. Where I am renting, our basement got flooded from the rains. At Blydenburgh Park especially New Mill Pond, no one ever thought there would ever be an issue. There is a dam breach that was built several years ago that divides New Mill Pond and the Nissequogue River. I used to like to stand along the bridge and look down at the water falling. I have memories of going to Blydenburgh as a kid. In the past year I have house sit for some dear friends. Last year I was there for a month and this year for three months. Their home is walking distance from Blydenburgh Park, so I have taken hikes as well as rode my bike through the trails. I also enjoyed "Prayer walking" through the trails. I used to like to stop each time and just look over the pond and see the swans and ducks. I always wanted to bring my fishing pole there but never had time to get a fishing license. 

     Getting back to the dam, apparently during the night the pressure and the height of the water in the pond was so extreme and severe that it caused this cement dam breach to collapse. All the contents of this pond all flowed directly into the Nissequogue River causing the pond to be emptied out. I am not even sure how old this dam breach is but all I know is that it could not withstand the pressure of the water from this pond. Last week our County Executive held a press conference at Blydenburgh Park declaring they would be working hard to get state and federal aid to help preserve this pond, a fixture in Smithtown for years and years. 

     Just think about this. One month ago, this pond was fine. There were no issues. All of nature was happy. Swans and ducks had a place to swim, frogs had a place to hang out and fish were avoiding getting caught by a hook on a worm. Within seconds disaster struck with no warning. I know his pond has withstood hurricanes through the years as well as blizzards. Within seconds this pond is now empty. Even looking at the above pictures I feel like it's a bad dream!

     Visiting this pond today made me think of life. Last April I had breakfast with a friend of mine I had not seen for almost 15 years. We had a lot to catch up on. I did not realize it would be my final time seeing him as he went home to be with the Lord in July. Life can change quickly! Last year a friend of mine who lived in Florida called me and we spoke on the phone for quite some time. He was going through a lot, so we took some time to pray together. I did not realize it would be our last conversation we would have here on earth. His sister called me to tell me he also went home to be with the Lord. He refused to see any doctors, nor did he seek medical attention or advice from anyone in the medical field. Life can change quickly! I even think of my own father. Growing up, he was a very healthy man, and I can't remember him being home sick from work when I was a kid. This hard -working man is one day working hard at his job supporting his family. Memorial Day Weekend 1992 he is taken to the hospital. He is diagnosed with colon cancer. Life can change quickly. I often think of what I have been through these last 11 years. One day I am a Children's Pastor of a big church in New York, one month later I'm driving "Big Shots" in a limo to the airport. (Just an FYI I have moved on from this!)  Life can change quickly. I know we all have stories we can share of how our lives can change quickly. I also know that as long as I keep my eyes on Jesus, I will be able to withstand and obstacle that stands in my way. Someday down the road, that "Dam" will break in my life causing an overflow of agony and frustration to flow out of control. In my life I need to be prepared for these challenges. I am not alone! I have Jesus by my side. I hope and pray you do as well!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!!