The Calm Before the Storm

As I sit in my bedroom, my children are both asleep on my bed. The sky is growing dark as a storm front, expected to bring some violent weather, approaches. We had a great day out and about for Ladies Bible Study and then a little lunch at Chick-fil-a. The weather earlier was beautiful and warm with a blue sky. That is no longer the case and the anticipation of what is to come grows minute by minute. Anticipation and fear are 2 very different things. I am not fearful because I know in whom I have believed in and He is in full control. So why the anticipation?

You see my home was destroyed by a tornado in 2006. I was in a small linen closet hovering tightly over my 1 yr. old son when the tornado struck. My entire home was destroyed with the exception of the small closet we were in. The noise was deafening as everything around me was torn into splinters and flying away or being crushed. While in that closet I agreed with God that He was in complete control and that whatever He choose to do I would be fine with.........but please make my death quick and allow someone to find my child quickly so he could be cared for and fed. I had packed snacks and bottles for him because of his genetic disorder. In just a few hours, if not fed, he could die too. As I accepted God's will for the tornado to be a direct hit, He gave me a complete peace and calmness in the midst of this storm. This kind of peace, that only God can give, cannot be explained, only experienced! I came away from the experience with only minor scratches on myself and nothing on my son! I also came away with a new appreciation for how much God loves me and has a plan for me and my son here on this earth. He alone controls life and death! He alone can do the seemingly impossible! How wonderful He was to show me in such a mighty way how much He loves me... to do something so miraculous for me!

At the time of the construction of my new home, I feel quite confident that no one would have judged or second guessed my decision to add a Safe Room to the plans. I was asked quite often if I was doing so. I always replied with something like, "No, the same God who protected me during the tornado did so without one, so I don't need to add one". So here I am, 2 yrs. later, and I am adding it on to the house. What changed? Did my faith and trust in God change? Do I no longer believe He loves me or my children? The answer is most definitely NO! The same God who protected me is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He is my shelter. I can rest only in Him! So why am I building this room?

Admittingly I confess my "fear" when a storm approaches or when the wind begins to blow - feelings I never had before the tornado. As I continue to ask for God's guidance during these times, I also feel the overwhelming need to protect my children with all the means He Himself has provided. Just as I would take a medicine or see a doctor in times of sickness, I am not denying God's power to heal my sickness or disease, but rather believing He has provided the knowledge needed during those times and I should take advantage of it. The trip to the doctor, in many cases, gives us knowledge and comfort and a plan of action to see us through the sickness. Likewise, consider the parent who gives their child a cell phone. No matter how many reasons they may state for its necessity, the only reason a parent gives such a gift is for their own comfort and peace of mind. Children and parents have been reaching each other for thousands of years without a cell phone. Does giving a cell phone to a child mean the parent doesn't trust God to care for their child? Certainly not. In much the same way a family safe room is one of those things my husband and I both feel will add that extra bit of comfort when the winds blow..........and boy do they with no real neighborhood of homes surrounding us to filter any of the effects of a storm.......just cow pastures, ponds, and an airport. I am not simply forgetting the power of God and His promise to give me everything I would ever need in this life to live for Him. On the contrary, what I am doing is thanking Him for all we know about storm safety and appreciating the fact that such a thing as a Safe Room exists.

Can God wipe out the Safe Room if He so chooses? Of course! In the blink of an eye!

Can He protect me in a storm without a safe room? He's proven He can!

Will He be disappointed with me because I choose to have one built in my home? No.

Will it change His ability and power during a storm? No.

Will it help give myself, my husband and my children a little extra peace of mind? Yes.

Will people judge me for adding it on, even Christians? Yes.

Can I worry about them? Should I worry about them? You answer.