By Rae Lynn DeAngelis
When we arrived at the nursing home to visit my dad, the owner greeted us at the door and waved us in. “You got here just in time,” she informed us. “A bad storm is heading our way!” Spring storms are the norm in Florida, so we didn’t think too much about it.
As we entered my dad’s room, I noticed he was semi-reclined in bed, gazing off into space. The television was on, but it seemed to be background noise more than anything else. (What I wouldn’t give to know what he’s thinking about in times like these.) I walked over to his bed, said hello, and bent down to kiss his forehead. Alzheimer’s limits my dad’s ability to communicate. I often wonder if he even knows we are his family. Although, every very once in a while, he has a moment of clarity and says our names. I treasure those moments.
About fifteen minutes into our visit, the surrounding sky darkened and rain began to pour. We opened the blinds next to dad’s bed to keep watch. The sky lit up, followed by claps of thunder. Mentally I counted the seconds between each flash and rumble… one… two… three…. BOOM! It was getting closer.
I remember as a child watching my parent’s reaction to such storms. If they remained calm, I felt less anxious too. My dad never seemed to be alarmed by thunder and lightning. Even several years ago when a tornado rolled through our neighborhood, he appeared fearless. His calming presence gave me courage then, and it was giving me courage now. He watched out the window with curiosity, so I tried to do the same.
Before I had time to recover from the last rumblings of thunder—BOOM! A synchronized flash and thunderclap caused me to jump. At that exact moment, the electricity went out. That certainly got my attention.
The lights came back on shortly after going out thanks to the generator, but only moments later the owner hurried into dad’s room to inform us that a fire had broken out across the street. My husband rushed out to investigate. Sure enough, a transformer had been hit by lightning and was up in flames. It created a thick billow of smoke. We watched the contained inferno burn with intensity, worried it might spread. But thankfully, before emergency workers even had a chance to arrive, heavy rains or should I say heavenly rains snuffed the fire out.
With everything going on in the world today, it’s tempting to think God is unmoved by our suffering. Each day, new challenges sweep across the world like waves in a hurricane. Just when we come up for air, another crushing blow knocks us off balance. It can be exhausting.
Although we are growing increasingly weary from the onslaught of trials, tests, and temptations, we can take comfort in this: God is with us in every storm of life. And He is not the least bit alarmed.
“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him” (Matthew 8;24-27).
Jesus hears our cries, just like He heard the cries of His disciples some two-thousand years ago. He is always watching, standing at-the-ready, and waiting for the perfect time to rescue. You see, God is not just looking out for our good; He’s looking out for the good of all His creation. He has a purpose for each trial we endure. Evil might appear to be winning for a time, but God will have the last word. God knows there’s no need to worry because in the words of Elisha, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).
Taking a cue from my dad, I’m trying to watch these storms play out and remain calm, not allowing the waves of uncertainty to crush me. Some days I succeed. Some days I don’t. But no matter what comes my way, I’m encouraged to know that Jesus is only a distress call away, and when the time is right, “heavenly rains” will snuff the evil out.
“In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears” (2 Samuel 22:7).
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? CLICK HERE to check out our new daily devotional: Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit.
