I drove through a tornado the other day.
We aren’t supposed to get tornadoes around here. Lived here most of my life. (I can’t say I’ve lived here all of it because I’m not done yet. Which was witnessed by my making it through the tornado!) Never heard of a tornado around here when I was growing up. Now I have driven through two of them in the past 5 years. What in the world?
The day began the same as most. Even though there was the threat of bad weather, we did not cancel Bible study because the public schools were having class. After study, I helped fill baskets for the local homeless shelter. Lunch with church friends, then I headed home to get ahead of the storm. Except I headed straight into it.
As I drove, the wind gusts became sustained winds. Rain was blowing completely horizontally. I recalled hearing about possible hail— I thought for a moment that was what was hitting my windshield. But it wasn’t hail. It was debris. Bits of wood, tufts of grass and pine bunches. I made it to the intersection where I needed to turn. I prayed no cars were coming because I couldn’t see them if they were.
My road is curvy, heavily wooded, with deep ditches. I thought about how they say you are supposed to get in a ditch if you’re in a tornado. Somehow I could not make myself get out of the dry, semi-clean car into the ditch with untold numbers of snakes, muck, and roadkill. So I learned that I am a risk-taker and also that I am a lot more concerned about getting muddy than I was when I was little. Here are some other things I learned:
- I love me some Jesus. I know, without a doubt, that when I am faced with a life-changing and terrifying situation, I cry out to my Savior – and He hears me!
- I know more Scripture than I thought I did. Friends, I was doing some praying and some quoting. I was letting Him know I’ve been paying attention to what He’s doing in my life. Claiming His sovereignty and testifying to His grace and mercy. Always a good thing.
- I am at peace with God. I was asking if…well, if this was it. It was a scary situation. I most certainly did not want to die from a tree falling on me or my car rolling over or any of those things that might end up on the evening news. But, if He had taken me home, I know where home is. You see,
- I am redeemed. My sins are forgiven. Jesus took all of them on Himself, even after living a perfectly sin-free life. And, having been brutally beaten and tortured, He died on a cross so that I can live in eternity with God. And He fulfilled His promise and prophecy by rising from the grave three days later. My sins are totally erased because I believe and confess Him as the Messiah. My Savior.
As I approached the last of the curves leading to my house, I saw a small white car. I wondered if they knew Jesus like I know Him. I wondered if they were crying out to Him as I was. I prayed so hard for them- for their safety, for their souls. I wanted them to know the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). I wanted them to know Jesus.
Sisters, His love is as fierce as a tornado and His redemption as sweet as the calm sky after the storm. If you don’t already know Him, call on Him now. You never know when the next storm is coming.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dolly Mink has a heart for women who are hurting. Years of experience in Christian leadership have given her a unique perspective and she is eager to share her observations insights, and words of encouragement all in a way that honors her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dolly serves on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team at River Oak Church in Chesapeake, and on the SBCV Women’s Ministry Leadership Team.
To read more, visit her blog, Grateful for the Grace.
