Protector in the Storm

We understand storms in Florida. Almost every day during the summer, we get east coast sea breezes colliding with west coast sea breezes, bringing flashes of lightning which force the eyes to blink and thunder that rumbles so loudly the windows shake. We've learned that from June through November, "eye" isn't something to see with, "invest" isn't money-in, and "spaghetti models" aren't attractive people wrapped in pasta. Hurricane seasons come and go, along with crowds fighting for water bottles, plywood, and batteries. Most of the one-eyed monsters stare at us from afar but curve like boomerangs back to their waters, leaving us with multitudes of non-perishables available to donate. There is a strange sense of guilty excitement each time a new named storm might be headed our way. Perhaps it stems from the sense of community as neighbors post about which stores have the necessities, or maybe it's from schools being cancelled and the anticipation of the family playing board games around candlelight with no electronics. Okay, I'll admit it probably also has something to do with eating LOTS of ice cream with the teenagers as it starts to melt when the power goes out.

This year as a large hurricane is approaching, I am feeling an entirely new set of emotions...fear, helplessness, and worry. It's because the storm isn't approaching me with my family. It's threatening to blow its vengeful breath on my college kids, and this mama doesn't like that. Every time I was pregnant, I remember feeling the sense of "nesting" just before each child was born. I wanted to make everything perfectly clean and safe for my babies as they came home. I do the same thing when hurricanes are headed our way. I can't control the storm, but I can control being prepared. I make sure we have enough food and water to survive a week without power. We have battery fans (mostly for Mama) and propane for the gas grill. I can assure you, there will never be a shortage of plastic ware, paper goods, or ice at my house when there is no hot water and the coolers have to stay cold. Well, at least not after my first hurricane...I've learned my lesson! I can't do any of that with my boys while they are away. I can only text and call them and share all the motherly things that I know they should do to prepare, while they respond with "LOL." I'm not kidding. That was the response I received.

I stayed awake last night until the wee hours watching the projected storm path, even though I knew it wouldn't change much...especially since they don't update it every three minutes. While praying for my curious boys to be safe and not venture out driving through raging flood waters, it finally occurred to my sleepy self that I'm not their protector any more. They won't be cuddled in my arms for me to console when the wind is howling and the lights go out, but they will be in the arms of God, and He is a much mightier Protector than I could ever fathom being. In reality, they have way more wisdom than I give them credit for when I'm in my Mama worry mode. They will be okay, even if they don't have all of the luxuries I would have stored up for their comfort if they were home. At least they have junk food. I transferred them each money in a last ditch effort to get them to stock up on food. Now I just need to remind myself that God has His arms wrapped around me in the storm, too. #HurricaneDorian #MomsOfCollegeKids #Protector #Storm #GodIsMyRefuge #Hurricane #ParentsofCollegeKids #LettingGoLettingGod

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." ~ Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

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Join our Facebook Group, Encouragement for Parents of College Kids (Letting Go Letting God) Be sure to get your copy of Letting Go Letting God: 30 Day Devotional for Moms of College Freshmen. I'd love to hear from you with comments, questions, and prayer requests. Jena@lettinggolettinggod.com