SWEET SARAH ...She has got to be the happiest fur-kid I've ever had. She thinks every person who comes to the door is coming to see her. So how is it that this dog who loves life, loves to "talk" and "sing", has never known a stranger -- is terrified of thunder? Her little doggie ears hear it before I do. I know it's coming as her little ears go flat on her head, that tail is tucked in and she stares me down.
The next thing is for her to get to her place of safety which is behind me on my recliner. So now I'm sitting on the edge of my recliner with Sarah curled up behind me, trembling and panting. Her head pokes around my left side and inches up under my left hand - where it stays the entire time.
By the time the thunder reaches my hearing Sarah is in full panic attack mode.
It doesn't matter that she is safely snuggled under my protection. There remains an intense fear that there is no hiding from the monsters that reside within the sound I know as thunder --- she only knows it is something horrible trying to invade her safe space. To her it is a horrid beast that roars around her, inching closer and preparing to pounce.
No matter how unrealistic her fear is it is real to her.
No matter how hard I try to comfort her there is no calming her jagged nerves.
It roars around us and she knows the only thing between IT and her is ME.
And yet I wonder does she know I will do everything I can to protect her -- whatever the storm may be?
AND THEN THERE'S ME ...
It could be that Sarah knows my true reaction to storms and realizes I'm no help at all as I LOVE storms!
It was the early morning hours of 1989 and Hurricane Hugo was lashing out at us with sustained winds of 80 mph and gusts over 100 mph. I was attending Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, North Carolina, a sleepy school town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. I was on the first floor of our dorm with all the other girls who lived there. I've never seen so many stuffed animals in all my life.
When there was a slow-down in the howling winds outside, one friend and I went for a walk. I just HAD to see what was going on and even get some pictures. The devastation was mind-boggling. Huge trees had been picked right up out of the ground as if they weighed no more than a matchstick and tossed aside. it was everywhere, signs of flooding, downed trees ... unfortunately some of the trees chose to park themselves on top of cars lined up in the parking lot.
We began to notice we were starting to lean into the wind and we realized the storm wasn't over! It was extraordinary! It became a fight to get back to the dorm. The power of the wind began lashing around us and the rain was stinging our faces -- it was fantastic!
We encountered a security guard ... he was not pleased to see us.
It was suggested we return to our dorm and not leave it again.
That storm ripped through the area and caused power outages for weeks.
It shook lives and uprooted people all over the state.
And here I am twenty-seven years ago and I remember it as if it was yesterday.
My hunger for storms as not diminished.
I have this fascination - and respect - for storms that I cannot explain.
My dream vacation is to spend a week with storm chasers.
I wonder what that says about me?
- poor health
- job changes
- death
- loss
- broken relationships
That's when I see myself curled up and shaking, seeking shelter behind my protector. And I am reminded, no matter the storm, we truly do have a Comforter
Psalm 46:10 reminds us Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.
More on storms another day ...
Enjoying the Journey,
Debra
bebprov356.blogspot.com
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
-- Proverbs 3:5-6
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