The weather report was warning of severe weather – “Strong thunderstorms with the possibility of tornadoes.” These are not uncommon along the Gulf Coast. We are not too concerned because we know by experience the steps to take when the storms come.

I spread an old quilt and called my children to come and watch the storm go by. Lying there in front of the big sliding doors, we could catch glimpses of bright jagged lines dividing the sky. Then, we would count the seconds until the report of thunder to know our nearness to the strike.

In the rare chance a tornado was imminent, we would go to our storm closet and play word games. Or see who could make the craziest sound or tell the best story. It is easy to be brave when you are not alone.

I scribble this post from my storm closet. Alone in the closet, I comfort myself remembering the fun conversations we would have when children were still young and at home. I remember watching their eyes and the way they would show their brave when hail pounded the roof like a monster trying to break in to get us. They were brave because I told them it was, Okay. “I’m here. I’ll take care of you.” Then we would pray or sing a song.

They knew I could be trusted in the storms, because I cared for them in our everyday. They knew no matter what, I would give my all to protect and care for them.

As I sit in the storm closet I think about the times when life was a storm and nothing seemed safe. Times when those whom I trusted became like the trees outside, bending and shifting and falling beneath the blustery winds.

I pull my knees deeper into my chest in an attempt to protect my heart from the memory of hurt. A whisper prayer comes in to help drive out any fear, “Jesus.”

Then, faith begins to insulate the closet from the monster pounding the roof, and memories pounding my heart. Not faith conjured by intellect, but faith that comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of God. The faith that stands beside me in the storm returning the whisper, “peace”.

As the winds howled and tossed the little boat and waves crashed the bough, Christ stood. He opened his mouth wide, and the wind and waves tried to invade his lungs to keep the voice inside. But Jesus, did the what was brave. He pressed salty seas and winds out with his voice and commanded, “Peace, be still.” And it hushed and quieted.

Before the storms, we need to know The One  whom the winds obey. He will never leave you, so that in the storm you can rest with Him in His peace.

Frantically they wakened him, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to drown?”

 Then he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet down!” And the wind fell, and there was a great calm!

 And he asked them, “Why were you so fearful? Don’t you even yet have confidence in me?” (Mark 4:35 – 41 TLB)

During the storm is not the time to learn to be brave. Being brave begins in the years of early mornings with Christ and His Word. It is memorizing scripture, and believing they are true.

Linking with Jennifer and Holley.

Get Diane’s new book now from Amazon. 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. 

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Diane W. Bailey

Diane W. Bailey is the founder of The Consilium – an online community of wisdom and purpose for women over 45 years of age. She is a published author. Her books include String of Pearls – From Tears to Treasure, and 30 Days To A Better Stepfamily. She creates her own line of precious metals bracelets. Diane lives in the Deep South with her husband Doc. Together they have created a stepfamily, each having two stepchildren and two birth children, and share three grandchildren, one black lab named Charlie and one long haired tabby cat named Lil Girl. Diane’s passion is to encourage women to be all God has created them to be by pressing past fear and daring to live life as an adventure. Some of her life adventures include traveling to Israel, speaking, entrepreneurship and backyard farming with Doc. She loves Gumbo, fried shrimp and seeing all sunsets across water.

Latest posts by Diane W. Bailey (see all)

• What God Can Do with A Shattered Heart - September 5, 2022
• When It Is Time to Bring Your Ship Ashore - January 2, 2018
• Art Of Hospitality – How to Love Others As Ourselves - November 27, 2017

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