Hurricane Aftermath: Can I Share a Little Treasure?

Inspiration from a crew of swashbuckling midlife women.

In mid-September, I flew to Treasure Island, Florida. The name alone conjured up images from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel. Although I’d never read Treasure Island, I watched the 1960s movie on Family Classics with Frazier Thomas. (IYKYK. WGN TV, Chicago. Sunday afternoons. Need I say more?) I don’t remember the plot of Treasure Island, but the setting was tropical, the characters included pirates, and of course, there was a map with a big, bold “X” that marked the spot where the treasure was hidden.

On my visit to Treasure Island, I met several swashbuckling characters, though none were pirates. I enjoyed a lush tropical setting, though the sauna-like heat and humidity were oppressive. Still, on one morning walk, the brightly colored stucco homes, variety of palm trees, and unique bird sightings were a refreshing change of scenery from my Midwest norm.

Who could have imagined that eleven days after I flew home, Hurricane Helene's storm surge and winds would devastate Treasure Island? And then, nearly two weeks later, Milton would deliver a second blow to the area. The island I had briefly enjoyed was underwater and buried beneath sand and debris.

My heart goes out to the residents and businesses that have lost so much, yet I feel helpless in the face of their needs. I pray. I donate through our church disaster relief organization. But what else can I do? 

I’m a writer. So perhaps sharing a little of the treasure I discovered during my visit will help someone, somewhere, in some small way.

Me…writing. And smiling as I think of you.

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I traveled to Treasure Island for a retreat. It seemed crazy (and embarrassingly privileged) to leave my Minnesota “lake nest” behind for a few days to spend time with a handful of strangers.

Although the tropical setting was appealing, what drew me to Treasure Island was the promise of a weekend of personal and creative growth. Ruthie Gray (Christian writer and podcaster) offered group coaching with a small crew of empty nest women like myself, i.e. creatives and entrepreneurs.

These women, whom I described above as “swashbuckling”, fit the definition, ‌i.e. engaged in daring and romantic adventures with bravado or flamboyance. The strangers I now call my friends are brave and daring, putting themselves out there in midlife (we joked that most of us were in “two-thirds life”)—taking on new career paths, writing, speaking, and owning businesses. 

During our long weekend together, we shared our struggles and received sage advice from Ruthie and each other. I left with a plan for my next 100 days and have already put it into action. But these new friends and my 100-day plan were only the first mounds of treasure I uncovered. 

Three “Treasure Truths”

In a series of short meditations, Ruthie guided us through three “treasure truths”. They’re as valid for you as they are for me. We’ll find richness beyond measure if we stake a claim on these truths.

First, we are God’s treasure. (Col. 2:3)  Whatever we’re going through, our value is unshakable in God’s eyes. He doesn’t measure us by our productivity, worldly success, or even by our good works. We are treasured because we are his own—his beloved children.

Second, we have been given treasure. (2 Cor. 4:7) Each of us has a unique personality, proclivities, and talents—gifts granted to us by our Creator. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

Can you identify the treasures you’ve been given? You may have to dig deep to find them, but they’re there.

Which of these gifts do you recognize in yourself?

• Showing hospitality

• Being a helper

• Sharing a flair for art

• Demonstrating leadership skills

• Being a good listener and friend

• Teaching

• Making music

• Writing

• Baking, cooking

• Praying

• Crafting, card-making, scrapbooking

• Making others feel beautiful and loved

• Promoting good health

• Speaking, podcasting

• or a thousand other gifts

Whatever it is…YOU have received a treasure. What you do with it brings me to the next point.

Ruthie’s final “treasure truth” is we are to share our treasure. (Mat. 25:14-30) It’s time to put our treasure on a map with a big, bold “X” so others can find it. At the retreat, we were challenged to use our gifts through writing, publishing, social media posts, speaking, podcasting, and more. 

We shared what was holding us back. Time management was a recurring theme. Between caregiving responsibilities (for aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren), keeping our marriages strong, working, or going back to school—there never seemed to be enough time to grow and share our gifts. Many of us also feel addicted to our phones and devices. 

What is holding you back?

Just as the residents of Treasure Island are digging out to reclaim their lives and livelihoods, we need to reclaim our lives (and time!) from cultural expectations, social norms, and the barrage of information and entertainment at our fingertips. Some of us may need to delay our dreams for a season, while we care for our loved ones. In the end, God’s timing will be revealed and he’ll nudge us to do that thing he’s calling us to do.

Wherever we are in discovering and sharing our treasure—whether we’re sparkling like a chest of gold and gems or buried under sand and debris—the first truth remains. We are God’s treasure. 

And nothing can separate us from his love. 

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I hope you’ll join me in praying for those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Although the daily news coverage has dwindled, the process of digging out and rebuilding will continue for months or years.

If you have treasure (as in $$) to share, here are links to reputable organizations that are helping.

American Red Cross

Rebuilding Together

World Renew

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