storm

Today we’ve experienced a bit of uneasiness at our house.  We’ve had some windy, rainy weather- with possible tornados.  My daughter, Emily gets a little bit nervous when situations like this come up, so there was a lot of watching the sky – waiting for things to get ugly.No matter how old I get, there is something just a bit unnerving about waiting for  a tornado to drop in any minute.

I can remember my first tornado experience.  I was probably 5 or so, living with my family in Danville, IL.  We waited it out in the basement – I was terrified at the time. The next day I found there was reason for my fear.  Riding in the car with my mom to church, we saw things strewn around from peoples homes – a mattress from someone’s bed was on the side of the road. and it looked like maybe the contents of their dresser drawers had been scattered everywhere.

Today as we waited for the bad weather to pass, I tried to comfort my frightened girl. But the truth is – I couldn’t make any valid promises – and she knew it.  I don’t control the weather , good or bad, and she is quite aware of that fact.

I had my own mini storm of sorts last week.  The kind that doesn’t amount to anything in the long run, but it was enough to make me think.  enough to get my insides twisted into knots.  I was reminded of something then, and again today.

This storm is not mine.  Its His.  He controls the winds and the rain.  I can not change the circumstances.  I can only change my response.  In the midst of questions, fears, frustrations all I can do is surrender to the one who owns it.

When I am able to move into a posture of complete surrender, which by my humble definition is : believing that He is the one in control, that He is continually working things for my good, that I can trust Him and believe His Word – its then that I am able to praise Him through the roughest of storms.

His promise from Isaiah 41:10 is real: “So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Your promises – for your presence, your strength, your help.  There is no where I would rather be than in the palm of  your righteous right hand.  May my heart give You praise in the midst of it all.  amen.

There’s an old hymn that I remember singing in church when I was young – and it seems more than appropriate for a day like today.

Till the Storm Passes By

In the dark of the midnight,
Have I oft hid my face;
While the storm howls above me,
And there’s no hiding place;
‘Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry;
“Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.”

When the long night has ended,
And the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence.
On that bright, peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest
Never comes, Lord may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

‘Til the storm passes over,
‘Til the thunder sounds no more;
‘Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand,
In the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.