The Storms Rage...

I have NEVER liked storms. As a very young child, I was scared. As a teenager, I was scared. As an adult, I have been scared. Although, I have come a long way. Every now and then I will have found that I slept through a little bit of thunder and lightening, something that once upon a time would NEVER happen. I don't panic when they call for the BIG BOOMS and CRACKLING FLASHES OF LIGHT, anymore. I try my best to act nonchalant when facing a storm these days, because of my son. I'm afraid he takes a little bit after me in this department. :(

YES, I have come a long way...

BUT, then we will have a weekend like this one. The kind where EVERY weatherperson is declaring it to be one of the WORST weekends for STORMS, including HAIL, HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING, STRONG WINDS AND TORNADOES.

As I have stated, my fear of the thunder and lightening has lightened up. As long as I am safe in my home or in another building, I'm fine. I guess you can say I've grown up a little and gotten through a BIG childhood fear. No, I now sleep fine. I am able to remain calm.

UNLESS, the word TORNADO is mentioned. Panic sets in on a very high setting. I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF, SEEN WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF and basically I AM SCARED TO DEATH OF THE WINDY THINGS!!!

So guess who didn't sleep much last night? Guess who woke up and turned on the TV every time she heard a little thunder? Guess who was up at 5:00a.m. this morning tracking a tornado headed her way, only for the warning and rotating clouds to head 7 miles south of our little town? (Thank you, Lord!) Guess who went back to bed, when the warnings had pasted at 9:00a.m. and slept until 2:00p.m. this afternoon?

Yep, that would be me!

I'm sitting here at the computer, THANKFUL, for another escape from the raging storms outside. Praying for those in neighboring states, feeling the brunt of the storm that pasted my way earlier. On the TV, one reporter just announced damaged homes just across the River from our state. Scary stuff. In a matter of seconds the BIG BAD WOLF can BLOW A HOUSE AND HOME DOWN. In seconds...

As I left for work yesterday morning, the Lord knew my heart. HE knew that I was worried. HE knew that I knew storms were headed our way, and that my mommy heart was having a hard time letting her babies go to two different schools to wait for the raging winds to hit. HE knew I was worried about the hubby, who had been gone on a trip all week, who was driving across the state of Arkansas, possibly in bad weather. He knew that the responsibility I have to take care of my babies, all eight of them during storms that could go very wrong, scares the life out of me... HE KNEW I NEEDED TO BE REMINDED OF HIS PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

So, you know what song HE dedicated just for me on the radio yesterday morning? Oh, I know the DJ didn't personally say this "song goes out to Mich, from the Heavenly Father himself." But, I DO NOT believe it was an accident, that it was playing as I made my way to work. The good Lord was sending me a message LOUD AND CLEAR. He wanted me to know that what ever happened, HE WAS STILL THERE, STILL GOD, STILL IN CONTROL AND TOTALLY WORTHY OF MY PRAISE. Totally.

Truth is, that it doesn't have to be a physical storm that comes roaring our way, for God to care. He is there for us through every storm in life. Sickness, broken hearts, financial problems, death of a loved one, even dealing with the "mean kids" at school. He is there and ALWAYS WORTHY OF MY PRAISE.

So, as I'm sitting here, reminded of all the storms of the past, that the Lord as seen me through, I'm praying that He will help me to continue to "grow up" in His WORD, His LOVE and KNOW His PERFECT PEACE, so that I can remain calm when in the eye of the storms, this world will constantly throw my way. May, I let Him help me build a safety net of HIS BRICKS (surrounding my heart and home in prayer and His word), so the BIG BAD WOLF can't blow me and mine down within seconds.

Want to know what song was playing?










Here is praying that you will find reasons to PRAISE HIM in your storms of life. And if you are going through a weekend of rough weather like I was, I'm praying for you and HIS PERFECT PEACE.

Blessings and prayers...