Yesterday, after a great day of worship at the church, Shannon and I drove home. Just as we pulled up to the front gate, a white pickup truck with flashing lights, pulled up behind us. It was a volunteer fireman.
He explained that a tornado had just touched down and our property was directly in its path. He told us to look for downed power lines and other damage.
When we got to the house, Shannon and I hopped into our UTV and drove around our property as the rain came pouring down.
Our house didn’t have any damage but I saw our flat bottomed fishing boat, hundreds of yards away, in the neighbor’s pasture. It was twisted and broken in two. The only other damage we sustained were huge trees uprooted and lying across fences. Others were not so lucky.
On the western edge of our property, I was able to see the damage done to our neighbor. His huge, heavy cattle trailer was on its side. The house was missing it’s chimney and some walls. The chicken coop and dog kennel were destroyed. The dogs survived but the chickens did not.
To the north, huge barns were completely leveled and many trees were down. It was a real mess.
The good news in the midst of all this damage, to my knowledge, no one was hurt. It’s a true miracle.
This just goes to show we aren’t in charge of much of anything. Tornadoes, drunk drivers, hail storms, a volatile stock market, cancer, COVID-19, and a host of other things remind us that life is full of the unexpected and uncontrollable.
The only thing we can actually control is how we respond to these unpredictable events. That’s were trusting God becomes the key to peace and progress in the midst of storms of life.
God tells us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
The tornadoes of life will always be here. Trust God to see you through the storms. God will not let you down.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in this world filled with the unpredictable, help me to place my trust in you alone. Ease my mind and give me peace. Let me live out my purpose with joy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 