"Stormy . . . Bring Back That Sunny Day . . ."

Psalm 55:8
I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and the storm.

We know it's going to be a rough weather day.  We see all the predictions and we are prepared for the probable thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.  But, we don't expect it to hit us so early.

I am sitting at my computer, sipping my second cup of coffee, when I hear it.  The haunting, ominous wail of the tornado sirens.  At 8:15 in the morning?!  Really???

As my husband, Danny, is working at home this day, he is still sound asleep.  So is my stepson, Giovanni.  Oh, they are NOT going to like this wake-up call!

"Everybody up!  The sirens are going off!  We need to get downstairs!"

Danny doesn't need a second prompting.  He throws back the covers, tumbles out of bed, and stumbles down the hall, headed to check weather radar on the computer.  Giovanni is only a step or two behind.

The sirens are still sounding.

"If there is a tornado anywhere in the county, the sirens are set off," Danny murmurs sleepily while punching commands on the keyboard.  "We need to see where the storm actually is before we panic."

He's so right.  The map reveals that we are nowhere near the storm's predicted trajectory.  False alarm.

"So sorry," I say sheepishly.

"It's okay," Danny assures me while pouring a much needed cup of coffee.  "Actually, we need to keep the radar screen up today so we can quickly note any changes.  This is definitely not a day to take any chances."

So, we monitor the weather throughout the morning.  Ready to dash downstairs for shelter should the need arise.  I gather a few items which I want to have with us in case of an emergency.

We wait.  We watch.  Sure enough . . .

Just after lunchtime, the eerie, blood-curdling sirens are howling yet again.  Promptly, Danny checks the radar and tunes into our local weather channel.  This time, the threat is real.  The meteorologist on the screen indicates the cities in the line of fire.  Kennesaw is one of them . . .

"I think it's time to head downstairs," Danny observes.  I can't agree more.  He takes the laptop with us so we can continue to get updates while we hunker down, praying for those in the path of this storm.  Hoping no tornado will touch down at all.

We dodge the bullet . . .

We give thanks to God.

~

While we feel grateful and blessed to have survived this day of storms, many living about 35 miles north of us are not as fortunate.  The photo above, which I borrowed from a local radio station's website, shows the tornado which actually touched down, causing considerable damage.  Buildings leveled and cars tossed like toys.  Hundreds injured and one poor soul killed when a tree falls on his mobile home.

Will you pray with me today for the victims of this vicious storm?

When stormy weather hits our lives, Father, remind us that You are our shelter and our strength.  We ask prayers of comfort and healing for everyone affected by the recent tornadoes.  May Your grace and presence dwell with them and with those who have come to their aid.  Bless them, dear Lord.  Amen.