The sound of thunder echoed throughout the house. Though midday, the skies outside were dark as rain deluged our street. Last week, Tropical Storm Isaac raged its way through our coastal town.
Thinking my son would be afraid, I looked around the house for my him. I found him hiding in my closet. “What are you doing in here?”
He looked up at me with a serious face and quietly said, “I don’t like the storm.”
I could understand why. We experienced just the outer bands of Isaac which extended two hundred miles from the heart of the storm in Cuba. It brought unexpected high winds, tornadoes, and flooding to our area. It was so unexpected that the schools were not even cancelled that day. My son’s preschool called in the midst of a tornado warning to inform me that I had to come and pick him up. I looked out the window at the two feet of water in the street and wondered if I would even make it there. Thankfully, my husband was able to leave work and get him.
I had to agree with my son, I didn’t like the storm either.
Ian soon moved from the closet to my bed and covered his head with the quilt. My other son and I joined him and there we hid, praying our fears to God. We thanked Him as Creator of the wind and rain. We thanked Him that we could come to Him in prayer. We thanked Him for His love and provision. We thanked Him for the safety of our house. And we thanked Him that He alone calms our fears.
The apostle Paul has taught me the way to peace in the midst of fear: prayer with a thankful heart. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) When the storms of life threaten to sweep me away, I bring my worries and fears to God. Laying them at His feet, I give thanks for all that He is and all He has done. Because He holds the world in His hands, I know my concerns are safe with Him. By wrapping my worries in gratitude, I am reminded of just how much He cares. As I reflect on His past grace, He surrounds me with peace, leaving me secure in His future grace.
Because prayer wrapped in thanksgiving is the cure for the worried and fearful heart.
After the boys and I prayed, Ian crawled out from under the covers. We spent the afternoon playing games, no longer fearful of the sounds of the storm. By dinner, Isaac had moved on. The sun returned just in time to shine its remaining rays into the kitchen window before it left for the night. The frogs in the yard sang a chorus of praise that lasted the rest of the evening. Birds feasted on the bugs that had risen to the surface of the ground. We joined creation in lifting praise to God as we bent our heads and returned our own thanks to Him who carries all our burdens and cares.
Thanking Him for the storms and lessons learned through them (#1795-1806):
my husband being in town to help pick up my son
fears calmed through prayer
that He promises peace when we pray with a thankful heart
that the sun always shines after a storm
girls night out
visiting friend in the hospital and meeting her new baby
dark chocolate pecan bark
taking the boys tubing at my in-laws house
that Ian didn’t get as many ant bites as he could have gotten when he fell in an ant pile
that his allergic reaction was controlled by Benadryl
supportive, loving friends
Linking up with my friends at:
So thankful for the peace that He brings to us as we turn to Him. Great post!
Thank you Lisa! I have to remind myself of what James says, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. In His presence is great joy and peace. Blessings!
Because prayer wrapped in thanksgiving is the cure for the worried and fearful heart. Great truth here…so glad all was peaceful…outside and in…have a great day~
Thanks Ro! Storms always come to an end, the flood waters recede, and the sun comes out. Storms are a great reminder for me to live in today with a thankful heart.
Amen, Christina.
The sermon of your life backs these words you preach to your children. And they will remember how your compassionate heart prayed and held them in their fears, teaching them where to unload those burdens.
This, I think, is how “training up a child in the way he should go” is done. By example.
Thank you for this lovely piece.
Thank you Kelli! I wish it were the case all the time. Sadly, I know my little guy has inherited my tendency toward fear and worry. I pray that more and more I can show him through my own life how to handle it. Thanks for stopping by!
Terrific photos! I’m glad that your husband was home to drive in the storm! Scary. And yes, I too love the sun rays after severe weather. Did you see any rainbows?
Somehow I always seem to skip over the thanksgiving part of that verse, but God seems to be teaching me in the now that this is vital.
“Because prayer wrapped in thanksgiving is the cure for the worried and fearful heart.” Amen! Glad you are safe! Stopping by from SDG, Blessings on your day!
Hi Christina - wow, I have been hearing on and off about this storm and I so glad that it has passed. I love what you say here: Because prayer wrapped in thanksgiving is the cure for the worried and fearful heart. this is so true, prayer wrapped in thanksgiving. Gives such a great visual. I pray your week ahead is blessed
God bless
Tracy
What a beautiful, teachable moment. I can just see you huddled together in bed, reminding one another of both God’s power and protection. My pastor preached recently about the teaching power of storms, especially the ones which come with terrifying power. I am reminded of this verse: “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways,and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” Job 26:14
And, I’m with you. I’m glad your husband was available to make the drive to the school!
Thank you for this post and your list. They speak straight to my heart. I needed this for sure!!
I’ve recently learned to turn worry into prayer. I like what you’ve added based on that passage: turn worry into prayer WITH THANKSGIVING. Thanks!
You really stay true to the heart of your blog name, to show your children Jesus. We got a bit of the storm here, a few tornado warnings, wind and lots and lots of rain. Our property was flooded and our roads were almost washed out — but just another day in FL summer, eh?
Beautiful post my friend…
Love this snapshot of all of you huddled on the bed and turning it into a teachable moment Christina. I hope you didn’t have any damage from Isaac. So thankful for husbands that are home to help. Amen!
Great post.
My heart is still palpitating from the ants! oh my… so thankful it wasn’t worse.
A thankful heart seems to be the cure to many of my troubles. What a wonderful post to remind me of this, friend. Thank you!!!
Beautiful post. Prayer is such an amazing gift. We have some family members that are really I’ll right now. I feel so powerless, wanting to do more than just spend my weekends visiting them in the hospital, making them meals, sending cards or having my girls make them videos to cheer them up. Prayer gives me such peace now. Thank you for linking up.
I am thankful that you were both able to seek Him and find peace in the midst of your storm.
What a beautiful post! I am so grateful that you all are ok, and that you were able to turn something that was scary into something like was truly a learning and faith growing experience. You really are an inspiration. Where others could have panicked or lost their temper, you gave your child the amazing example of a calm, nurturing mom who turned to God. Just awesome! Many blessings, Lisa