Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Day 85 of Photo Inspirations — Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Dark clouds looming. Tornado warnings. Hail warnings. Heavy rains and flooding warnings. News reports kept urging those in the path of the storm, to take cover. Family calls to check on me. I’m in the toy closet with pillows over and under me. Granddaughter wants me to go to a storm shelter. I’m quoting scripture…” I dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord He is my refuge, my fortress, my God in Him I trust.” That’s always my emergency 911 number. Psalm 91:1 that is. I pray and speak safety and protection to all of us in the pathway of the storm. I pray and speak to the storm and tell it to cease and desist. (God’s Word says we can do that: Mark 11:23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”) I quote my Prince of Peace’s words as I speak to the storm — “Peace — be still.” And, personally, MY peace was still. Just a short while later, I heard on the news station, “Cold front is pushing the tornado activity out of the area.” While there was calamity and devastation from yet another Oklahoma storm, it could have been so much worse. I’m so grateful that it wasn’t.
I’m well acquainted with living in “tornado alley”. Over the years, we witnessed many tornadoes, as well as the aftermath. We watched our barn roof be taken off (yes, I said “watched”). The tornado worked its path down Keystone Lake and our home and acreage backed up to it. We took to our under-the-stairs closet for safety when the winds grew to such ferocious velocity. My husband’s parents lost their home in a tornado, but they were safe in a bathroom shower stall. They came out with not a scratch on them.
And, with natural storms, as well as those we face in life’s circumstances and adversity, we can still make it through by finding peace in the midst of the storm by trusting in God’s faithfulness. Wednesday night, I was singing an old song…. “So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise. They don’t worry me, for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God. He walks with me, and not of earth shall harm me, for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God.”
After being in the toy closet for just a few minutes, and hearing the “all clear” report, I got up and turned around and looked at that closet and realized it’s still Spring cleaning time around here, and since I’m here, I might as well get this toy closet all organized and cleaned out. “All things work together for good to those who love God and are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. “Thanks, God, for the light-works, wind-works, and water-works Wednesday night. You definitely got our attention.”