Our phones sent multiple alerts telling of high winds and dangerous thunderstorms approaching our TN home. When the ground is soft from rain and the strong winds whip over the mountain ridges, trees are likely to come down. The result can be blocked roads, power outages, damaged properties and vehicles.
My thoughts went to our 81-year-old widowed neighbor Howard. His long steep driveway is lined with tall trees and his home sits on top of a ridge. Phoning him I asked, “What’s happening and how are you Howard? We’re getting weather alerts.”
Howard replied, “We’ve lost power for several hours. I’m in town parked under the bank’s drive-through for protection. I don’t want to get stuck at home without power and with a blocked driveway. I’ll probably spend the night in my truck.”
Laughing I replied, “Howard, I’m glad your safe. Why don’t you spend the night at our house? Even without power, you can stretch out on the couch, get in and out of our driveway and park your truck in the garage. You’re going to be fine. I asked God to protect you and all our property.”
Howard and I have had many friendly discussions about the reality of God. He can’t understand how a powerful God can allow bad things to happen, but he also doesn’t want to give up his free will to believe the way he wants. His reply to my words, “I’ll be OK in my truck. If this ends well, I will be sure to say thanks to your God.”
I received this text from Howard around 10:30 PM after the storms blew over the Smoky Mountains. “I took the chance and drove up my driveway. Nothing had to be cleared. I’m in the house with the power on. Everything seems to be OK. So, I gave a word of thanks as I promised.”
As God’s children, we can have confidence when asking him for protection. Especially when his answers might show skeptics who Father God is. He loves showing life giving good is more powerful than life taking evil. God responds to our free will asking for his powerfully good help. He has been faithful to me, in good times and in bad!!
Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (NLT: Psalms 50: 15 – 16)
Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way (NLT: 1 Thessalonians 5: 21 – 23)