Brace Yourselves

Living in Hong Kong we have the privilege of being in a subtropical climate with monsoons and typhoons. For those unfamiliar, typhoons are essentially hurricanes but located in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. This week we have Super Typhoon Ragasa in our weather forecast heading almost directly at Hong Kong. The media and observatory are forecasting this to be a record-breaking typhoon for the city with winds up to 220km/h.

As a parent, the idea of a looming super typhoon is in itself full of anxiety. There’s the grocery stock up and the home preparation (removing items hanging outside or on balconies). On top of that we have this underlying anxiety knowing that school will very likely be cancelled for at least one day, maybe even two or three, and the kids are going to be stuck at home. Perhaps even PTSD-like triggers arise from Covid-19 when Hong Kong had nearly 450 days of school closures.

As I think about the week ahead, I want to challenge myself and ask, how do I want to show up as a parent this week? How do I want to show up on typhoon day?

Here’s the thing, I know exactly how it’s going to play out if I don’t act with intention on this. This is what it’s going to look like: two of my three kids will have some format of online school. I’ll be scrambling around the house trying to set them up on different devices in different rooms. The internet connection will probably be unstable. There will be simultaneous shouting of, “Mommy, it’s not working! Come here!” Meanwhile my younger one will be complaining of boredom before 9am. After a short stint of chaotic school-screen-time, there will commence a whining for more screen-time. “Can I pleeease just watch one episode?!” And even though we may have only just finished breakfast I’ll probably hear, “Mommyyy I’m huuungryyy, can I have a candyyy? Pleeeease just oneeee?” The dog will be whimpering, the wind will be howling, and inside of me an even bigger super typhoon will be brewing.

I want to challenge us to prepare for this typhoon – the one inside. We may not be able to change the direction of Typhoon Ragasa, but I have everything I need to change the speed, direction, and even presence of the typhoon swirling in me.

The first thing that comes to mind is prayer. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Life doesn’t actually stop during a typhoon. God, help me use these days as opportunities with my family to demonstrate peace amidst chaos and connection rather than control.

The next thing is connection. It’s very possible that my kids will be experiencing their own big feelings, their own typhoons. Their routine is off schedule, they might feel cooped up inside, they may feel scared of the howling winds outside. How can I show them that I understand and that we can trust God through it all?

And if I mess up (I probably will) and my patience wears thin after the 1000^th “mommmyyyy,” that’s ok too. Let’s try again. Let’s demonstrate a “do-over.” There’s something beautiful about typhoon days in that there’s no rush or hurry to get somewhere. We are exactly where we need to be. I pray for all of us this week, not only for safety from the outside forces, but also for safety from the inside with our families.

Psalm 23:1-4

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.