Lightening streaked across the night sky, and I counted, waiting for the low rumble that follows. One, two, three… Ten seconds later. Divide by five. The storm was approximately two miles away.

“Let’s go in. A storm is coming,” I shooed the kids in from squirting water guns as the light slowly diminished. We peeled wet clothes and shrugged into dry pajamas. As I pulled down the covers on my eight-year-old’s bed, he sighed. “I really don’t like thunder and lightening at bedtime,” he confided. He was rough and tough when it came to fighting ninjas and picking up snakes. But when storms rolled in, Colin would just as soon be tucked under your chin.

“What if lightening strikes our house, and it catches on fire, and it comes through the attic into my room and I can’t get out?” He questioned. “I don’t think you need to worry about that, Colin. The chances of that happening are slim,” I tried to convince him.

He didn’t look convinced.

“You see, you have it lucky,” I sat on his bed to comfort him. “Daddy and I are always watching out for you. If a storm comes, it is our job to make sure you are safe. We watch the news when the weather is bad, so we’ll know how to best take care of you. If there were a tornado, we would wake you up and take you downstairs. When there is a bad storm, we are watching the lightening. You can relax knowing we are always keeping an eye on things. You don’t have to worry.”

And as He often does, God spoke to my heart, too, with those very same words.

Do you hear yourself? Don’t worry so much. I am always keeping watch. It’s my job as your Parent.

God didn’t tell me the storms wouldn’t come. As a matter of fact, His Word assures me that they WILL. But He assures me when they do, He will be with me. I don’t need to worry about the what-ifs.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV

So when the storm passes, I might be wet but I won’t be swept away.

Thank you Lord for bringing me through the storms. Help me trust You more and lay my worries down. Amen.

Carol