When A Big Storm is Coming

Yesterday as I was bringing Annie-Lauren to ballet class, she did not share one word.. so uncharacteristic of her. She is filled with words.... all racing and fighting to get out, sometimes all at the same time...  I pulled up, and just before she jumped out of the car, the words came, quickly and confidently...

 " Mom when I am big and  live in my own house and a big storm is coming, Daddy is always going to come and board up my windows... cause that's what Daddies do."

I laughed and replied... " OK, of course Annie-Lauren"  She jumped out of the car and skipped into the building. The words today were not racing or fighting  to get out ,they just were swimming around in her sweet little head...Today she was pondering  deep thoughts about her future and knew that in the event of a "big storm" her Daddy would be there.  It is what she knows. He has  been there for her in the past and she knows his character.

"That is what Daddies do." 

Her statement, made with such confidence... As I drove off  I couldn't help think  how true her words were. There have been "Big Storms" that I have walked through, but my  Heavenly Father has been faithful to show up. That is his Character... It is what "He Does.."

Deuteronomy 31:6⁶ Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you

Sometimes the "Big Storm" has dissipated in the presence of my Heavenly Father...while there has been other times when my Heavenly Father has showed up with hammer and nails and assisted me in boarding up my windows... For he knew that this was going to be a storm I would have to ride out, but not alone.

He has REMAINED... faithful to the end. In the midst of the storm he has watched me cry, He has listened as I ask WHY?? (sometimes without getting an answer or a  reason why, just trusting that my Father knows what is best.) He has also had a front row seat as I have held my breath and pitched a royal fit. (not my finest moments.) Then there have been times when HE has been  able to watch as I have  learned to praise Him in the midst of the storm and become thankful for the storm.

The Storms Have come... but, Oh, how My Father has been so faithful... He has never forsaken me. He has been there until the very end and when the sun begins to peek out from behind the clouds (it always does ) My Father has been there to remove the boards from  the windows of my heart and life, and guide me as I begin to pick up the debris.   He has helped me to press on.

So,  I, like Annie-Lauren can say with confidence...If and when the "Big Storm" comes... "My Daddy is going to come and board up my windows"  He will be there. "That is what Daddies do." It is what I know. He has  been there for me in the past and I know his character.  I know HIM.  He will be with me, the rivers will not drown me, and the flames will not consume me.

Isaiah 43:2

 ² When you go through deep waters,
      I will be with you.
   When you go through rivers of difficulty,
      you will not drown.
   When you walk through the fire of oppression,
      you will not be burned up;
      the flames will not consume you.