Tag Archives: thunder

When the Storm Passes By

My eyes were glued to the television. The house was dark and quiet with the exception of my husband’s snores and an occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. The storm was coming.

I leaned back in my chair, my body as heavy as my lids, and listened. “Cedartown, Lindale, Euharlee please take cover. Get into an interior room or basement away from windows. Pine Log, we expect to see this headed your way in the next twenty minutes…” Tornados ripped their way through my state as I watched on TV.

I found my city and stared at the deep red streaks across the radar map leading right to me. We were right in the path of the storm. My stomach flipped and fluttered at the thought of waking the kids to bring them downstairs. With two story walls of windows at the front and back of the house and no basement, I mentally walked through each room looking for a safe spot. After finding it, I wondered at the idea of pulling the crib mattress downstairs to cover the kids.

My attention turned back to the weather forecaster as she threw out words like Viper Tornado Index and death toll. The kitchen clock blurred. 1:03 a.m. Videos of monster-wide twisters from Alabama played across the screen. I blinked my eyes shut and opened them again to see the menacing red enemy creeping closer to my town. Blink. Closer. Blink. And closer.

One more blink – and the ugly splash of red was to the east of us. One county over was taking cover while crickets chirped outside my window.

The storm had passed us by.

Sometimes you find yourself in the eye of the storm, and others it marches right by. Praise God for the passing!

Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. 


Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame? 


How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.

Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” 


Let the light of your face shine on us.

Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, 


make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4 NIV

Carol

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When the Storms Come


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.


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Carol

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