God Doesn't Need Doppler Radar

I love looking at the blogs of my friends and seeing their little cherubs smile and learn new things. I love looking at design blogs written by moms; they are so inspirational and beautiful! Then there are strangers that I stalk and feel like I'm part of their family! And who can get enough of Pioneer Woman? How many times have I caught myself spending too much time browsing blogs and not spending time with God? Too many and it's shameful and sinful. In an attempt to realign my priorities, I am going to try and blog a scripture and a thought or two I have about it. So, if you, like myself, find yourself checking out blogs and skimping on your God time, you might find a scripture here & some pictures of Juliet! (Unless Juliet isn't cooperating- I've already changed 4 diapers since beginning this paragraph alone and I just heard some more!) The scripture and thoughts will try to blog about at the beginning of the day, so I can hide it in my heart, meditate on it throughout the day and hold myself accountable.

Justin took this picture while he was deep sea fishing two years ago. They had a little bit of a storm.

Let me tell you I would have freaked! (I'm not a fan of deep, dark water. Cruise? No thanks.)

Today we have a threat of severe weather. I hate severe weather. One blogger I read yesterday said she loves severe weather; the idea of hunkering down, riding it out, not leaving the house, and following the Doppler radar. Trust me, I follow the Doppler radar like a hawk, but it's not for joy. It's for survival. For some reason I have been scared of severe weather all my life. One story that always resurfaces is when I was a little girl, our family was caught in a thunderstorm with a lot of lightening. Huge bolts popping all around us. I was terrified. When I get nervous, my stomach decides to rebel. So it did and it did a lot. To this day, "when severe weather strikes," I still have intestinal issues.

I have asked myself over and over, what is causing this crazy fear? To sum it up, I don't have control. Now, I'm not a control freak. I do have a love for being in charge. Although I have really tried in the past couple of years not to micromanage. And guess what, I've made my life easier and happier. I digress. I also have a fear of pain. The anticipation of pain is too much for me. What if the tornado hit our house? I can see myself lying in bed with the 100 year old pecan tree crashing through our window, ripping a hole in our roof, trapped under a branch with one piercing my leg, rain dripping on my face, like a Chinese torture method, an unresponsive husband next to me, and lying there for hours. What if? What if? Now I have Juliet to add to the mix. I refuse to allow myself to imagine anything. Plus, moms don't get scared!

When the threat of severe weather is on the horizon, I mentally make notes as to where my jeans, sneakers, computer, weather radio, and cell phone are. When sirens go off, no matter the time, I calmly put on my jeans and shoes, strap Juliet in her car seat, and begin to gather my "supplies." Our "safe space" isn't up to my standards. Our almost 100 year old house doesn't have a room without windows! I create a "pod" in the middle of our house (6x6), closing four doors to do so. Juliet, Lucy and I sit in there with the radio going and the computer tracking the storm, while Justin remains cool as a cucumber.

I can imagine what the disciples felt like when the storm hit the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was snoozing below. They didn't even have radar! They didn't even know it was coming! Their boat was taking on water and they were sure it was going to be the end. Jesus calmed the storm and rebuked them for their lack of faith.

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. People are killed in storms who say, "God will take care of us." How do we come to terms with that? What do we mean by "care?"

All I know is that I'm too in love with this world. I love my life. Not only in the day-to-day events (which are amazing), but my very breath. It's another fear...what is ahead of me? What is death like? What happens? Will I be in pain? Will I be sad, separated from my family?

Giving God full reign in my life is the only cure. I haven't been promised a bed of roses, but I have been promised a new life, a life in Heaven, where there is no sorrow or pain. God knows what is best for me and my family and for all of us. He sees the big picture.