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“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging…He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  Psalm 46:1-3; 10

Last week, my husband and I drove from Florida to Virginia to visit our son and daughter-in-love. They’d just moved into their newly purchased home, and we were super excited to see them. Filled with joy and pride in that first-time-homeowner glow, they showed us around each room, the beautiful tree-filled yard, and the amazing deck and above-ground pool. We all celebrated the immense blessings from the Lord (especially given their path here, which is another story full of the Lord’s Providence and provision).

We spent Sunday afternoon in the pool, as it was once again a brutally hot day. Then, the sky abruptly darkened and thunder rolled, and the temperature dropped about 20 degrees. The sudden wind, though, was not normal—it seemed to gust from multiple directions simultaneously. Worried about the pool floaties flying away, I went out onto the deck to pull them inside. My husband and son ran out and told me to get inside, as they collected the table umbrella and other things. I was just inside the door, and looking up into the tumultuous sky, I pleaded with God: “Lord, please protect their home!”

As soon as the words of that desperate prayer left my lips, my son heard a loud crack and shouted, “Tree! Get in!” And as they ran through the door, a 150-foot oak tree from the neighbor’s yard landed on the house, its massive branches hitting where they stood just seconds before. The moments and hours afterward were terrifying. This “microburst” was basically a mini-tornadic event that I don’t understand (other than our fallen earth is churning with weather-related birth pangs—Matthew 24:1-8). BUT GOD.

Even while the rain continued to pour, we checked the sunroom and attic where the tree primarily hit. Nothing seemed to be leaking, nor were any windows broken—despite the fact that the broken edges of huge branches sat literally against every window it touched. The shed and pool pump were crushed, but somehow the tree had not penetrated the living areas. In fact, another huge tree—a pine from the same neighbor’s yard—had broken, and its massive branch along with a tangle of Jenga-like pieces were literally refraining the oak’s trunk from crashing down through two levels of roof. As the tree fell, it seemed the Lord’s very hand manipulated its decent and twisted each branch to land but not crush.

(While I was freaking out in a good way at God’s protection for how it all happened, my son—rightly so—was freaking out in fear and anger that it happened. And he did not appreciate my praises in those first moments after the storm subsided. So, the Lord, in His loving mercy even sent an “angel among us” in the form of a county worker who came to assess the immediate damage. He shared with my son and husband his utter bewilderment of how that tree fell. How branches were missing that should have gone through the windows and roof. “I don’t get it,” he kept saying. “It makes no sense—it’s truly a miracle.” Indeed.)

Over the next 24 hours, the miracles kept coming to light—revealing the many ways the Lord showed up. For example, despite trees downed all over the area, the second tree company my daughter-in-love called Monday morning “happened” to just be finishing up another job and could arrive in 30 minutes. For hours, they waited on a crane to be available…until the tree guy “happened” to find a random crane in the area whose driver could do our job before the one he was called out to do. Once the tree was removed (which was a truly fascinating process to watch), we could see the full damage: yes, the pool pump/plumbing was a loss, as were the shed and outbuildings; but otherwise, some gutters needed replacing, a handful of shingles were broken, a few feet of siding was scratched, and one window screen was ripped. (I’m shaking my head in awe even as I type this.) To top it off, my son’s employer “happened” to contact him the next day to inform him of a schedule audit from the previous month…he was to expect additional pay…which “happened” to cover his (rather large) home insurance deductible. (Now God was just showing off.)

It’s so, so hard to be in the midst of a figurative—or literal—storm, watching the destruction in real time and actively seeking the Providence of God amid the fear, anger, and anxiety of it all. But, sweet friend, we must. We must trust the Lord, standing steadfast in His goodness and kindness. Through our tears, we must see His mighty hand moving on our behalf. In the protection and blessings…and in the destruction. Even in the “even ifs” of our lives, God is moving for our good (Romans 8:28). And everything the Lord does or allows (even the evil of distorted creation) purposefully reveals His righteousness (Romans 3:5), love (Isaiah 9:2), and glory (Romans 9:22-23).

So, beloved, whatever your storm, look around with new eyes. Where is God moving? What blessings do you find? How can this draw you closer to Him, deepening your faith and making you trust Him more?

“Oh, Good and merciful Father! Thank You for Your presence and providence in every storm. May I look for Your hand in the protection—and destruction.”

For His Glory,

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life