Having children, I am always trying to teach them obedience. Not just to their mom and dad, but to the authorities and ultimately the Lord. It is something that I also have to teach through example. Sometimes God asks us to do things that are out of our comfort zone. We can make excuses. We are tired, too busy, or nervous to step out.
But in obedience, there is great joy. Its a joy that is hard to explain. But just knowing you are doing what He has called you to do is a beautiful feeling.
About a month or more ago, the Lord asked me to stop in and visit someone who is special to me from Belize. She now lives in Texas and is attending college. About a week before I planned to go, I messaged her. I was not sure if she wanted me to come, but I knew I was supposed to go. She wanted me to meet her downtown....way out of my comfort zone. Driving somewhere unfamiliar and then in the city at that. But with GPS, God opens doors. LOL. So, as the day approached, I watched the weather. Even the night before I went and bought an umbrella. Big storms were coming. I was debating that I just shouldn't go.
But I asked Lee. He said you have talked about this forever. That God wants you to go.
So Friday morning, I woke up early. I am a prepared person. I had a cooler, packed my lunch and drinks. Set my GPS. I was on my way. Within 30 minutes, it was storming. I decided to get off in La Grange and use the restroom and get a cold drink. It was a hole in a wall place, but I chose it because it had an overhang that I could halfway park under in the non stop rain.
I got back in the van and my phone beeped loudly and said to take shelter because there is a tornado in your area. I texted Lee and said what should I do? He didn't answer because he was in the shower. That text was at 8:55. I waited a few minutes and decided to go ahead and try to get out of the area. I love how God protects us even when maybe we don't make the best decisions.
As I got on the freeway, a song I haven't listened to in years came on my shuffle. The words were, "I have found a peace that ploughs on through the storm..." I saw a wreck or something up ahead, so was driving slowly. The sky ahead was green, then all of a sudden, it was dark as night. I have never experienced something like this.
Still, my music was playing. I was driving so slow. I had chills all over. The line around that time, was "We are longing for the glory of the Lord..." And then rain came suddenly and intensely, like when you are in a car wash. I literally could not see. I felt this was it. That I was not going to survive...that I was definitely in the tornado. Yet, I had a peace. That I am ready. I love the Lord, am devoted to Him, and if I am about to die, that it is okay:)
All of this is happening in minutes. I'm barely moving and I see lights. Not the vehicle, but I could tell it was a policeman and he was assisting a long tractor trailer. I got behind him. I could not see the road or his vehicle. I simply followed him right off the freeway and parked with about ten other cars along the side of the road to wait it out. There was lighting like crazy, the van was shaking, the rain was intense.
And then Lee called...
He said, Honey, you should probably seek shelter if that is what they are saying. The storm is right over you!
At that point, I realized I was shaking uncontrollably. I began to pray for Jesus to calm the storm. To move the tornado and to let me get to where I was going!!
And within a minute, we were back to a gentle rain.
Slowly, people began to get back on and I just kind of followed. Within five minutes, there was a divide of the dark skies and sunny skies up ahead. God brought me through that storm safely. It was sunny and beautiful the rest of the day.
God was in that van with me. I was not alone. His presence was thick.
I believe God covers us when we are obedient. He covered me. He protected me. It is something I experienced totally alone, but have not been able to stop thinking about it.
I had a great meeting with my friend. I know I was supposed to see her. I know God told me to.
That night, I was at Josh and Robin's apartment and decided to look up the news that day.
At 9;05, a tornado had hit and destroyed many buildings in La Grange along the highway that I was on. No one was injured, but buildings were crumpled like tin foil.
Who knows? Maybe even the gas station I was at.
God protected me. I know it. I am thankful. And yeah, this is what walking with God looks like.
