Tornadoes and Trust
We made tornadoes in a bottle yesterday during science. In an epic teacher moment, I told my kids to go home, tell their parents "I SAW A TORNADO TODAY!" and watch them freak out before showing their bottles. I so wish I was making that up. #teacherfail
Flash forward two hours later and we're packed on the floor of the girls' bathroom "just as a precaution". I did my teacher stuff. I grabbed my emergency binder. I called roll. I counted heads. Again... and again... Then I went into family mode. A tornado was over my parents' town. They were safe. I texted my MIL to check on my girls. My husband was on his way home and the go bag was ready for the cellar. We called child after child to go home because their parents had come for them. I reassured the rest of the students that we would be fine and we were in the safest place possible. I followed directions. I followed our pre-made plan. I waited. And then I started humming...
"When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"
And it really was. You know, having phones to contact loved ones is comforting. Having a calm counselor on the intercom is reassuring. Watching live radar and having knowledge of a storm before it hits is definitely a plus. Seeing the storm weaken and lift helped me breathe a little easier. But even if I had none of those things, I would have been just fine. Am I thankful for them? Yes. Am I glad the storm did not produce a tornado on top of us? Absolutely. But my faith does not lie here. My hope in good time and bad is not found in other people, safe rooms or modern technology. I was told later that I was calm. I appreciate that, but I need to give credit where credit is due. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ gives me the ability to remain calm and focused, resting in the truth that He is in control.
Flash forward two hours later and we're packed on the floor of the girls' bathroom "just as a precaution". I did my teacher stuff. I grabbed my emergency binder. I called roll. I counted heads. Again... and again... Then I went into family mode. A tornado was over my parents' town. They were safe. I texted my MIL to check on my girls. My husband was on his way home and the go bag was ready for the cellar. We called child after child to go home because their parents had come for them. I reassured the rest of the students that we would be fine and we were in the safest place possible. I followed directions. I followed our pre-made plan. I waited. And then I started humming...
"When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
'It is well, it is well with my soul.'"
And it really was. You know, having phones to contact loved ones is comforting. Having a calm counselor on the intercom is reassuring. Watching live radar and having knowledge of a storm before it hits is definitely a plus. Seeing the storm weaken and lift helped me breathe a little easier. But even if I had none of those things, I would have been just fine. Am I thankful for them? Yes. Am I glad the storm did not produce a tornado on top of us? Absolutely. But my faith does not lie here. My hope in good time and bad is not found in other people, safe rooms or modern technology. I was told later that I was calm. I appreciate that, but I need to give credit where credit is due. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ gives me the ability to remain calm and focused, resting in the truth that He is in control.
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