He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. ~Psalm 107:29
This past Thursday, a significant weather event tears through the southeast, particularly in Alabama and Georgia. Of course, my weather bug husband, Danny, keeps a laser focus on the approaching storms, concerned about the possibility of a tornado developing too close to us for comfort. I mean, how can you NOT be a bit on edge when images like these appear on the television screen?
Such horrific images, aren't they? When I look at these, I wonder how anyone inside the structures could survive. Tragically, nine lives are lost to these storms.At this point, I must confess. I've had an obsessive fear of tornadoes since I was a child. Just knowing that we are under a tornado watch starts my stomach churning and my palms sweating. I cannot begin to tell you how many nightmares I had where the star was a fierce and vengeful tornado. My mother blamed this phobia on her letting me watch "The Wizard of Oz" when I was only three. Think that might have something to do with it? Yep, so do I!
But these days, as soon as I encounter those irrational emotions of fear and trepidation, I stop, drop and pray. Not just for me and our family's safety, but for the protection of all persons in the path of the unforgiving storm. It isn't long before my feelings of angst are replaced with a calm and peace that only comes from trusting in God. Looking back, I've realized that from the time I asked Jesus into my life as a young adult, my tornado nightmares disappeared from my dream cycle. Does that mean I'm not at all concerned? No, but it's so much easier to face the unknown knowing I don't face it all alone.
Happily, though we experience some thunder and lightning, we are spared the wrath of tornadoes and high winds. With our new deck recently finished, that's such a relief to escape serious damage to either it or our roof.
I can't, and won't, stop praying for the families who lost loved ones. And I can't stop praising and thanking God for His great mercies.
Because in this life, we will experience many storms. But let us always remember that our Lord can calm them all.
Amen!