Something wicked this way comes

It's the middle of March and it's 70 degrees. The air is humid and eery. Weather men are predicting powerful storms tonight and the possibilty of long tracking, deadly tornadoes. As we sit outside, we can feel a type of energy in the air. It's ominous and makes me nervous. 

In 2021, an EF4 tornado hit downtown Newnan which is about 15 miles from our current house. Back then, it was less than 10 from where we lived and we stayed up all night praying as we huddled on the floor of our laundry room. That was one of the scariest nights of my life. 

After that huge tornado slammed into our city and decimated it, I told my husband we needed to be better prepared for the next weather event. I ordered some thick, sturdy bike helmets from Amazon. I bought a solar cell phone charger and gathered thick pillow and blankets. We came up with a plan. The next time tornadoes were predicted, we were going to be ready. 

I don't like living in "tornado alley," a wide swath of land that begins in Alabama and stretches across the western part of Georgia. While I've lived in this danger zone for most of my life, I'm looking forward to leaving it. In fact, on my next move, I'm planning on making sure I'm many miles away from it. 

Tornadoes have scared me since I was a child. When I first watched the Wizard of Oz, I realized how powerful they could be. Even though that was a fictional movie, at a tender young age, it scarred me for life. 

I've seen 2 tornadoes in real life. The 2
I've seen were from a safe distance and as I watched in awe, I never forgot how deadly and powerful they could be. The first one I saw was far off on the horizon as I was camping with my Girl Scout troop. The second one was dropping down from the sky as I had traveled to Carson Newman College to help pack up my little sister as she prepared to move. That one didn't touch ground but it was mesmerizing to watch it slowly form and dip down from the sky.

My mother in law told me about living through the 1936 tornado that basically obliterated downtown Gainesville. That storm left more than 200 dead, 1600 injured, and 2,000 homeless. It caused millions of dollars worth of damage. When I moved to Gainesville back in the mid 1980s, I'll never forget when one passed over our house. The sky went a nasty shade of green and the air felt alive. Thankfully, that one passed us by but I was so frightened. 

I guess the thing that scares me most about tornadoes is the time of day they hit. Often they come in the dark hours of night when you can't see them coming. I do have weather alerts set on my phone but when they're predicting this kind of weather, I rarely sleep a wink for fear of the unknown. 

Today as we've been watching the sky and feeling uneasy about the approaching storms, we prayed. We asked God to protect us from danger, to protect our home, keep our power on, keep the big trees all around is soundly in place, and to protect our friends and loved ones. As I type this, I look out my office windy and hear the wind blowing hard. Large oak trees sway in the breeze and the sky is mottled shades of gray. 

I can't help but think about Jesus when He was in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. That sea isn't really a sea. It's a huge lake. I've been there. While we were in Israel, on the day we were scheduled to tour the sea on a large, covered fishing boat, the lake became so rough the trip was postponed. At first we were sad. We really wanted to get out on the lake but as our bus passed around the lake, on our way to another tourist location, we watched the strong waves rolling on the sea. I was thankful we were able to see how powerful the wind whips across the water there. It helped me visualize what it might have been like when Jesus and the disciples were on the water. As a storm raged all around, Jesus slept contently in the back of the boat while the disciples panicked. I used to wonder, as the disciples did, how He would sleep so peacefully in the midst of such chaos but as I studied, I learned He was able to sleep because He knew He had the power to still the waves. I think He was giving an object lesson to His students - a valuable lesson in faith and trust. 

So, tonight as the storms gain momentum and night begins to fall, I'm going to do my best to remember Who controls the wind. Freaking out won't help me any. Yes, I'm prepared with all the necessary physical comforts and protection I can have, but I'm also steeling my heart with the reminder that God knows exactly where I am and His hand of protection is over me. Nothing will happen to me that He doesn't allow and that gives me great peace of mind. 

Tornadoes are powerful and dangerous. They're definitely not something to take lightly, but if we have faith in Jesus, we can rest assured that He's got us right in the palm of His mighty hand and He will be with us through anything. How do I know? Because He's said in His Word that He'll never leave or forsake us. And never is a very long time.

The first Winter storm of the season

We knew a storm was coming. The weather forecasts had warned us, so we prepared the fireplace, pulled out the antique oil lamps, and made sure we had plenty of food. In our neck of the woods, you never know if a forecasted storm is going to be a big deal or not until stuff starts happening. Usually, when weathermen make a big deal of it, nothing happens and when they don't, everything goes awry. 

As I type this, snow is falling, and the temperatures are dropping. The birds are flitting from tree to tree, doing their best to find food and stay warm. We filled up the feeders yesterday with plenty of sunflower seed. We love our wildlife and try to help take care of them the best we can. 

If the snow continues to fall as the day goes on, we'll probably experience some freezing on powerlines and trees. We're praying our power stays on and no trees fall. We've had enough of falling trees from high winds and tornadoes in the past year to last a lifetime. Right now, in fact, there are 2 large pines leaning toward our house. They're resting on smaller trees and are basically what hunters call "widow makers" because of their precarious angle and potential for falling and killing someone. They're on our neighbor's property and yesterday, when we heard him outside with a chainsaw, we thought he was about to take them down, but that wasn't the case. It's challenging living in a rural area but we love it. 

We'll keep a close watch on the weather. If the roads freeze up and it's too dangerous to get out, hubby will stay home from work tomorrow. Our driveway is super steep and neither of us need to risk going down it. 

The weather, this year, has already been so unpredictable. We heard about a tsunami predicted to hit Hawaii yesterday and then today, as a result of the winter storm, several tornadoes hit the Ft. Meyers area. We're definitely in the end times! The Bible speaks of not being able to tell the seasons during the last days and I believe we're definitely seeing evidence of that now. 

I think I'm going to curl up with a good book now and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. Ya'll be safe! Catch ya on the flip side. 
 

Storms on the horizon

Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma have caused a lot of destruction to the United States and surrounding areas. Many people have lost their homes and all they owned. It's horrible to watch the news and see the devastation.

In between the hurricanes, Mexico experienced an 8.1 earthquake. These are troubled times for many.

In Georgia, we felt no effects from Harvey but my daughter and her family did. They live in Texas. It was ugly. Irma was another story. We experienced high winds, heavy rain, and power outages. It wasn't nearly as horrific as Harvey. We are blessed.

As I write this post,  Hurricane Jose is brewing in the Atlantic but it's not projected to hit the U.S. and I'm grateful. We don't need another tragic event so soon after the last two. Hopefully Jose will blow far away from the states and dissipate before causing damage.

When hurricanes form, we have no idea where they're going until days into the forecast. Meteorologists work hard to give us the most updated information as quickly as they can but sometimes, it isn't fast enough.  All we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best...and that's exactly what it feels like to have cancer.

When I was diagnosed, I felt the strong winds of a mighty storm begin to blow. They were sultry and gentle at first but grew in intensity as the days went by. Although I couldn't see the storm, I knew it was there. I felt its presence. I knew it was coming. 

I did all I could to prepare but instead of gathering water and other necessary survival items, I began with mental preparations. I started to have conversations with myself about what the future might hold. I role played different scenarios and tried to determine how I would react to each. I felt more secure knowing I had a readiness plan in place. 

When my health storm intensified, I battened down the hatches and did whatever necessary to insure my survival. It was a challenging time. Some days were more difficult than others, but I was determined to ride it out. I wanted to live. 

I watched as the storm whipped and swirled around me. Powerless to control its affects on me, I found myself often huddled in a corner tears streaming down my face. The tears did nothing to comfort me although they did provide an emotional release. 

The storm lasted for 3 years. The intensity has ebbed and waned. As I listen to the news about Hurricane Irma, I'm reminded how I felt in the center of my own personal hurricane, cancer. The center of the storm is fairly calm. My calm came from my relationship with Christ. When the winds strengthened and the rains came, I held fast to the rock that never changes. 

The outer bands of the storm still sweep past me now and then, and often, when I least expect them. These bands contain emotional storms that build slowly and then explode with unbridled fury.

As my cancer hurricane has dissipated over the past year, I find myself doing fairly well in a continual state of recovery. I learning how to move forward and live a life full of rewarding opportunities. Some days are more challenging than others, but I keep plugging along. I find it helps to tell myself it's going to be okay and that I'm doing well.

Positive self talk is a wonderful self preservation technique and I'm finding as I practice it, I'm believing exactly what I'm telling myself. I'm surviving and not only that, I'm thriving! The storm is over and life goes on. And now I feel the winds of changing a blowin'. I wonder what God has in store for me. We'll have to wait and see.

   

Storm warning

Predicated storm path

News channels are filling air space with warnings of impending doom. Hurricane Matthew looms. Preparations for evacuation have begun. Friends and family ease into long lines of traffic, hopeful.

And my heart goes out to them. Thankfully, the weather is beautiful here today. The sky is a brilliant blue and a balmy breeze is blowing. It's easy to feel change in the air. But how can things look so calm and peaceful here while there's a storm brewing there?

And Jesus calmed the wind.

Can you imagine being there in a boat with Jesus? Knowing He was a performer of miracles and yet, as the water raged around you, becoming fearful? Why did they not trust? These disciples that KNEW His power....KNEW His strength....KNEW Him?

As Jesus slept in the back of the boat, they were freaking out. I can relate. When things seem so out of control, when we can't understand or see what God is doing in our lives, sometimes it's hard to trust.

So they shake the Master. Wake up! Don't you care if we drown???? The disciples filled with fear and trembling. And what does Jesus do? He stands up. He speaks to the winds and the sea and tells them to BE STILL. Instantly, everything is calm. Jesus turns to the disciples and asks them why they are so afraid. He asks about their faith. The disciples turn to each other in amazement and say, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

The disciples knew their Master, Jesus. They knew He was capable. They knew, when He got into the boat with them, they were safe...so why did they lose it? Why were they fearful? Because of the intensity of the storm. Wind and waves were crashing all around them. And Jesus...Jesus was asleep!

A hurricane is approaching. It's already done massive damage in Haiti. People have lost their lives. Fear fills hearts because we can't control the wind and waves...only He can. And all we can do is trust.

Lord, please protect those in the path of the storm. Help them look to you for protection. Give their hearts peace as they prepare. Help them remember You are capable of calming the storm. Amen.




"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41New International Version (NIV)

Death doesn't scare me much any more

Yesterday, we had some powerful storms roll through our neighborhood. At first it was just raining really hard and then the winds picked up. Things began slamming against the house and I was afraid windows would be broken. The rain came in torrents and it was difficult to see what was happening outside. I didn't know if we were under a severe weather advisory or not because my weather radio did not sound an alarm. As things seemed to progress and the winds grew stronger, I wondered if perhaps a tornado was approaching. I decided to be safe and go into an interior room of my house until things calmed down a little. While I was in that little room, I began to pray. I asked God to put a hedge of protection over our house and keep me safe. After about an hour, the rains began to dwindle and the wind stopped blowing. I was thankful.

I have many a brush with death over my 58 years of life. The first came when I was 13. My gallbladder ruptured allowing gangrene to spread quickly through my body. If it weren't for the quick thinking on my doctor's part, I wouldn't be here today. The next near death experience came in 1991 when I was involved in a severe automobile accident. I was hit head on and my right leg was crushed. If I hadn't been driving a larger, older model car, I wouldn't have made it but God's providence protected me. My last brush with death was 2 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Once again, God allowed me to live instead of die.

Death doesn't scare me too much anymore. When you've stared it in the face over and over again, you come to the realization that not one thing is in your control. It's easier to accept that fact that God holds my days in the palm of His hand than to worry about what may or may not happen in the next minute or in the next few days. I have learned to live in the moment and for that, I'm so grateful.

My next door neighbor called me a few minutes ago and told me a tornado skirted across her property yesterday afternoon. She said there were 17 large pine trees down and many others were twisted off at the tops. Limbs and all sorts of debris covered her property. That explains why the weather was so terrible. I'm so thankful God protected us both. She has also had several brushes with death. Twenty three years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through treatment and spent years being cancer free. Last year, she was told her cancer had come back and now she's got stage 4 metastatic cancer. She and I both know we can't take a single day for granted. It's amazing what it takes to make some people realize how very short life is...don't waste any time! Live for today and don't be afraid of what may happen tomorrow. Death has no power over you. God says in His Word that it's appointed once for man to die and after that the judgment. We don't need to fear death but we do need to be concerned that we are living the way God wants us to live day to day. Life is amazingly short and the older I get, the more I realize this to be true. Count your blessings and be grateful! You never know when God will call you home.

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