I had a dream a few nights ago that took me a few days to process.
We were at the beach enjoying a beautiful day, when all of a sudden the skies turned dark and largely ominous clouds rolled in from the north. There was rain in the distance and the wind picked up. Lightning illuminated the silhouettes of several tornados, probably five or six, that were curving and crossing and only visible when the lightning flashed. The wind was so strong and loud that I had to scream to barely be heard.
With my meteorology background I knew that the safest place to be during a tornado (when REAL shelter isn't around) was on the ground in a ditch... In case you're wondering, it's a myth that a highway underpass is safe - it may protect you from the hail that commonly accompanies a tornado, but the horizontal winds of the tornado will sweep you right out from under that bridge! Even though you're exposed, you want to get out of the path of that wind, so a ditch - dipping below the elevation of the surrounding land - might be your only option.
In the case of my dream, with Taylor in my arms, we headed to the nearest ditch. I remember shouting at other family members to do the same thing, but don't recall if they heard me because I was intensely focused on keeping Taylor safe.
I could hear the tornados approaching, but they weren't visible. I remember pulling Taylor close to my chest with her head near my shoulder. We laid down in the ditch, and I was shielding her body with my own. I remember the wind blowing my hair around and the lightning providing just enough light to show me her little face. Despite the mission on my mind and my intense concentration, Taylor seemed surprisingly content and comfortable under my protection. She didn't fight me even though we were in a scary situation. She had so much trust that my judgement and actions would protect her that she seemed to actually enjoy the experience.
And then I woke up.
What a good lesson for life...
I like to think I have that kind of trust in my God. Where I don't fight him during a storm but would rather snuggle into His big, protective chest where He takes the weight of whatever is going on. I love the thought of being safe in His arms, where we can be confident there is sunshine after the rain, and smile in the midst of the mess, knowing there is no better place to be.
This is my prayer:
Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."
