The wind picked up causing Cindy’s hair to tickle her face. As she brushed her hair back with her gloved hand, she left a smug of dirt on her cheek. Cindy only had a few more areas in the flower bed to weed but the sky was getting dark and angry looking.
Cindy grew still and observe the swirling clouds gathering above her. This wasn’t bad weather about to happen this was a tornado forming.
Being by herself on the farm today she only had herself to get to safety. Wasting no time, Cindy stood and started running towards the culvert that laid half buried in the field bordering her property. Still grasping the trowel in her hand, she ran as fast as her legs would take her until her foot stepped in a hole causing her to fall.
Cindy winced as the pain shot up her leg but when she looked behind her the clouds where forming a tunnel that would soon touch the ground. She needed to get to a shelter now.
Hail started to fall urging Cindy to run but she found it difficult to put weight on her foot so she did her best with limping as fast as she could. Once she arrived at the culvert, Cindy slipped down into the ditch. Cold wetness filled her shoes, but this didn’t stop her, she forged on sloshing through the small creek till she reached the middle of the large pipe.
The tornado approach sounding like the freight train that normally goes through her town from time to time.
Cindy scrunched down and covered her head with her arms bracing herself for the worst. But as the storm swirled around her a calmness filled her like a blanket of warmth that had been placed over her keeping her safe and giving her a feeling of peace despite what was happening. This caused her to wonder if she really was in the middle of a deadly storm.
Then as fast as the tornado started it was quiet.
Once Cindy was sure that the storm had passed, she then crawled out from the culvert and surveyed her surroundings. Where she had been gardening now laid what was part of her house. Remnants of trees and buildings laid scattered on the ground around her.
Cindy looked at her shaking hands and discovered she was still clutching the trowel that she had been gardening with.
A slow smile started to form on her face as she shook her head and realized that there was another force besides the tornado that had surrounded her keeping her safe. Yes, God had been with her and she was still alive to tell the story.
*****
There are times in my life that I feel like I am going through a category 5 Tornado with the winds whipping around at 200 miles per hour. Tearing me off the ground with debris hitting me until the storm loses its energy and spits me out and I find myself sprawled out on the ground in a bloody mangled mess.
This may sound a little dramatic but honestly, it’s what I feel like sometimes.
One of nature’s destructive storms, tornados have always fascinated me. Although, I don’t really care to experience them I do enjoy reading about other people’s experiences and looking at the amazing pictures captured on camera.
It’s amazing how people have gone through all kinds of storms even life storms and live to tell about it. How does anyone survive them?
We experience loss, disbelief, disappointment, anger and so many other emotions that arise from life circumstances that may make you feel like you have been ripped out of your happy place into a swirling chaos. Where does one find peace and calmness in the middle of this type of storm?
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of distress. Those who know your name will trust you, for you have not forsaken those who seek you, Lord.
Where is the calm in the storm, you may ask? This is when I run to my anchor, the Father. I open my bible and read the truth and promises that are always steady and sure. Praying for God’s wisdom to remind me to stand firm and confident knowing that God has my back.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Somehow, I always find that I can keep moving forward despite the debris swirling around me. It’s like I’m gaining strength while I’m being sheltered.
Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.
If you’re going through a storm in your life, don’t give up. God wants to bring you into the eye of the storm to give you strength and encouragement. You can endure and you will get through this crisis because God is with you every step of the way. Allow him to cover you with His protection.
Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.
Featured Image: Photo by Todd Trapani on Unsplashed
Gwen
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