Stormy Weather

Downtown Atlanta after tornado struck Friday, 3/14/08 at 9:40 pm

I love the Lord because he hears my voice

and my prayer for mercy.

Because he bends down to listen,

I will pray as long as I have breath!

Psalm 116:1-2

Storms make the oak grow deeper roots. -George Herbert

Tornadoes are one of the most intimidating and frightening weather systems, in my opinion. My nieces Krista and Katie, who live in Atlanta, witnessed a terrifying tornado Friday night. The National Weather Service rated the storm EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, meaning it packed top winds of 130 miles per hour. There was significant damage throughout Atlanta caused by the tornado. Thankfully, my nieces are fine.

On Saturday, a heavy thunderstorm prompted another tornado warning as it plowed across Atlanta then on to Athens at the same time we were preparing to attend our son, Griff's state FBLA convention. With the wail of eery sireens in the background, everyone scrambled for shelter in a safe place. Gratefully, we escaped injury and the convention went on and was a huge success.

One of the most impressive things about the storm we witnessed yesterday is that the sky was perfectly clear instantly after the storm passed through. According to the National Weather Sevice it is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

You can probably remember a time when the storms of life were so great that it seemed like a huge weight was crushing you. You even had doubts that you would make it through the day. Maybe you suffered a loss so great that it was even difficult to breathe. Life was suddenly interrupted and you were certain that happiness would always escape you. Perhaps you have experienced a disappointment that caused you to be fearful and hesitant to reach out. God hears your desperate prayers in the dark of the night and your anxious cries at dawn. He bends down to listen. He sees each tear that falls. Continue to pray! God is faithful. The storm will pass. Dwell in Him...the shelter of the Most High! Thomas Becket said, "Remember the sufferings of Christ, the storms that were weathered... the crown that came from those sufferings which gave new radiance to the faith... All saints give testimony to the truth that without real effort, no one ever wins the crown."

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1