Dark Clouds

Psalm 18:6, 29 In my time of need, I called to the Eternal; I begged my True God for help. He heard my voice echo up to His temple and my cry came to His ears.

With Your help, I can conquer an army; I can leap over walls with a helping hand from You. The Voice

Wind and rain thrashed against my windows. Red numbers announced 4:30 AM. The storm heightened my aloneness. I listened to the turmoil. Within minutes, it stopped.

At dawn, I searched the horizon from my patio. Gigantic, gray puffballs rolled across the sky. Streams of sunlight beamed between the dark obstacles. Cool breezes wafted through the screen. 

I decided to take a bike ride and then finish my devotions later. Suddenly, the lake changed. Thousands of raindrops peppered the water. My ride was delayed.

As I read, clouds raced by. The sun quickly chased the rain away. My bike ride was on again.

Another gust of wind abruptly brought another outburst. Three morning showers were unusual for Florida. 

An hour passed. Sunlight dominated. Most dark clouds moved on. Butterflies and bees flitted from flower to flower. Dragonflies zoomed near the lake. Wind brushed leaves and rippled the water. Sunlight alleviated some of the sadness of being alone. 

Eagerly, I took my pink bike through my neighborhood. Bike riders and walkers greeted me. Drivers waved. Warm breezes touched my face. Shady trees made the ride more pleasant.

Rain allowed dawn coolness to linger. White clouds replaced slate ones. My ride lifted my spirits.

The dark clouds and sudden rain reminded me of the unexpected attacks of grief.  Out of nowhere it catches me off guard. Blasts my peace. Erodes contentment. Brings tears and isolates me. Mocks my attempts to overcome the pain. 

But like passing clouds, it abates for a time. Sunshine returns hope and joy. The grief journey doesn’t follow a predictable path forward. The trip goes up and down. Slides backward, circles, and stops frequently. Struggles become less painful but don’t disappear.  The journey continues and continues and continues. 

Loving Father, thank you for holding me during my pain and distress. Thank you for your comfort as you lead me down the path of grief. Amen

Welcome Peach

May God the Father and the Lord Jesus the Anointed surround you with grace and peace. Ephesians 1:2 The Voice

Blackness engulfed the lake. I stepped onto the patio before dawn. A lone planet blazed. By overhead light, I read my Bible and devotionals. 

Slowly darkness  changed to crystal blue while the sun crept up from behind the trees. The fiery  ball tinted feathery clouds a bright pink. My panoramic view revealed a radiant, expansive sky.

Four wild turkeys waddled across the grass. Lizards scurried around my patio screen. Crickets hummed a greeting. Dragonflies flitted above the lawn and to the lake. Silhouetted birds flew high.

Nestled in the serenity of dawn, I rested in peace. Schedules, paperwork, and concerns faded. God’s majesty shone with the sun. Creation displayed His power, creativity, faithfulness, and comfort. 

Creator, thank you for your magnificent creation which gives me comfort and peace. Amen 

A Hair Raising Experience

Dark clouds brought dusk early. Rain sprinkled the lake. Anne, Ashlyn, Emily, Molly, and I sat on my patio after dinner. We relaxed and enjoyed the peacefulness of the lake. 

Mother turkey and her two poults scavenged the yard for dinner. We scanned the lake for the huge alligator I had observed earlier in the day but didn’t see him. 

“The rain stopped. Why don’t we go for a walk along the lake? Maybe we can see the gator by my neighbor’s house,” I said.

Our barefooted group walked through the wet grass. As we neared the first house, a sharp twinge hit my back.

“Ouch,” I cried.

“What happened, grandma?” the girls asked.

“It felt like something stabbed my back. It’s ok now.”

When we neared the next house, the girls laughed. “Grandma, your hair is sticking up.”

I patted my head trying to tame my new curls. Then they told me that my hair was sticking straight up.

Only when I noticed Ashlyn, did I realize we had a problem. Her hair was also sticking straight up. Before I could even look to see if anyone else had that problem, I knew we had to move quickly to my house.

“We have to get inside. Hurry!”

Anne and I rushed them to my porch. We didn’t answer their questions until we were safe. 

Anne googled the strange occurrence. The answers were frightening. Get inside. Good, you aren’t dead. Get down on the ground in a crouched position. Lightning is about to strike.

Scientific answers related how we were positively charged and in a dangerous situation. The transfer, as negative charges channel toward the positive ones, produces lightning.

Ashlyn said, “My head hurts.”

“I feel tingly on my feet,” Emily stated.

“Maybe that’s why my back hurt,” I said.

Magically, our hair returned to normal as soon as we entered the screened porch. 

Only four year old Molly seemed unconcerned. The rest of us were thankful to be inside. Ashlyn thought we should go into the house. I believed we were fine but later discovered we should not have stayed on the covered patio. 

As bedtime approached, Anne decided they needed to leave for home. After hugs and kisses, I walked them to their car. 

Emily and Molly jumped into the in. Ashlyn stood by the door to wait for them to get situated. 

“Ashlyn, get in. Your hair is standing up. Hurry.”

“Hurry,” I said again as Anne secured Molly in her car seat.

My arms tingled and the hair rose. When they were all safe, I rushed back into the house. 

Google gave me more surprising but useful information. Pictures of brothers laughing at their wild hair. Soon after the picture was taken, one was struck by lightning. He survived with severe burns. A man nearby didn’t. The stories made me realize how fortunate we were.

After the girls were in bed, Anne called. Ashlyn still had a headache. Anne felt a stab of tingling pain too, but everyone was ok.

Further research revealed that headaches can be caused by the charges of electricity with lightning. Tingling and sharp pain were also side effects. 

Our weird experience at first brought laughter, then fear, and relief. It reminded us of the power and scope of lightning, which can be felt for five to ten miles. 

During our episode, there was no heavy rain, thunder, or visible lightning. How thankful we were for the warning signs that made us scurry to safety. 

Living in the lightning capital of the world makes everyone in Central Florida vulnerable to the ravages of a strike. It can appear out of a storm or a clear sky. 

Twice I have had my home hit. Lights, appliances, garage door opener, and surge protectors were damaged but no injuries. Many friends have too. 

Reminders. Don’t play games when a storm is approaching. Get off the beach. Stay away from tall trees. Get off the golf course and ballfields. Get out of the pool. Stay off landlines and away from sinks and showers. Don’t use technical devices outside. 

My family will be cautious when there is a threat of lightning. The experience taught us about dangerous invisible forces along with the visible ones.