Spring Storms

Spring storms were scary when I was small. We had a cellar at our home, accessible through an open breezeway. When a storm was coming you would find my daddy ushering mother ahead of us into that dark, damp place. He would wrap me in a blanket and carry me down the steps. When we reached the bottom, he would stand me down on some boards, placed there so we didn't have to stand on water, and mother would hold my hand. You see, our cellar leaked. Daddy would light a candle and the eerie shadows were frightening, particularly if there were spiders and webs. Ever so often, daddy would climb back up the steps and peer out to see if the storm had passed. Even though as a child I was afraid, I always felt secure knowing my daddy was looking after us. When the storm had passed, we'd climb out of the cellar then Mother and I would go on to bed. However, daddy would lean back in his old cane chair on our old screened back porch and keep watch.

Our Heavenly Father assures us that He watches over us when those storms in life come our way. Much like my daddy did when I was small and scared, our Father gathers us unto Himself and carries us through to the other side. The journey through those storms can be scary; we are uncertain and many times, we are battered about even though we are secure in His arms. But, we can rest assured, when the storm is over, God is still in control of our lives. When we allow Him to carry us through those storms, we will be stronger for our endurance and we can help others in similar situations. He promises that He will provide all we need and no storm of life will be more than we can manage.

"We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him." Psalm 91:1-2 TLB