Easter Sunday morning, I was awakened by thunder, lighting and winds that sounded like a hurricane. My little elderly dog “Monty” was trembling and whining at the end of the bed when a large crack of thunder sent him running into my arms for protection. I tried to sooth him but he refused to sit still.  No amount of petting, scratching behind his ears or talking softly to him was working. Then, the City Warning Sirens went off, a Tornado had been spotted by the National Weather Service so we quickly got into the hallway to wait for what might come next. I should mention that we have a natural spring that runs through a large stone culvert along the side of our home. Normally, the spring is only a few inches deep of running water, but now it was flowing over the banks and onto our front yard.

It is funny how when you are faced with a terrible situation you stop and think about what is really important and this storm made me realize something very important. Even though I like to believe that I depend on God to get me through each and every day, do I really trust God beyond what I can see or what I know? Do I really know just how much God is in control; and more importantly am I willing to understand that trusting God does not always mean I will understand His ways.

As the storm continued to rage God now had my full attention. The sound of the thunder, rain and wind was over-whelming and frightening; but, it was temporary! I knew the storm would end, I could see “around the corner”. It did not matter how loud or fierce the storm was and even if our house had been flooded by the water from the Spring-it would still end; something a little elderly dog could never understand.

I think sometimes we have to be awakened by thunder and lightning to really know who God is; for His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways, (Isaiah 55:8-9).  As long as we focus on God and lean on Him, we won’t need to “see around the corner”, because God will lead us.

Once the storm passed Monty curled up on my lap and fell fast asleep, content once more. As I gently rubbed his head one scripture kept going through my mind; “let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23.)

There has never been a time in our lives when God has not been faithful. Only times when we pre-determined what outcome we wanted without consideration of His plans for us.  Our faith in God comes when we allow His full reign in our hearts.

What a joy and relief I felt when the storm ended and the water receded, but greater was my joy at knowing that God was in control of the storm, all along.

I have been writing all my life, I just didn't realize it until I was my late 40's.  I hope my experiences can help others who have gone through similar trials.