I believe that I was eight years old and that it was 1956 when a severe storm came upon our small town of Fenwick, Ontario, Canada. Just past our house, we had a greenhouse, then a workshop, and then another greenhouse. My dad was in the workshop area when the thunder and lightning came all around us.

The phone rang, and when dad answered it, he was knocked to the ground by the electrical surge through the phone lines caused by the lightning. Dad said that he lay there a short time, and when he got up and tried to put the phone back on the hook, he got another powerful jolt which threw him backwards and knocked him to the ground again.

I remember mom telling us to sit on the couch and stay away from the windows. As I huddled on the couch with my older sister and brother, I remember crying and being so scared. Meanwhile, mom kept looking out the window worrying why my dad had not come to the house, when suddenly, she saw my dad crawling on his hands and knees towards the house. Mom yelled instructions to my older sister to keep us all on the couch, and she ran to help my dad get into the house. I remember my dad lying on the kitchen floor and some volunteer fire fighters being there helping my dad. I worried that he might die, but he recovered.

Job 37:3-4a – He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. (NIV)

When I was married with two wonderful girls, and we would get a storm in the middle of the night, I would get out of bed and get dressed in case lightning struck our house, so that I was ready to get everybody into the car if necessary.

All those years ago, I don't remember praying, but now, I have no problem, as I have learned to pray in all circumstances, for all things, and for all people. Yes, I had a fear of the power of the storm. Now, with the Lord in my life, I realize that I can seek comfort by counting on His protection for now and eternity.

Job 37:5 – God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. (NIV)

Let none be afraid to go to the Lord when a storm is coming and is all around, either physically or spiritually. Let us seek the Lord when we are having troubling times in life. Let us not sit on the couch and do nothing! Instead, let us turn to prayer, and ask God for help.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, when the storms of life are all around us, give us strength and protect us. May we turn to You and seek You in prayer. Amen.

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About the author:

Larry Fisher <larryfisher17@gmail.com>
Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada
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