A true Alabamian knows all the signs…..the sky turns an eerily pretty greenish, pink color……you step outside and can only describe the atmosphere as “soupy”……..your normally straight hair takes on a weird kinky, frizzy texture….and worst of all, James Spann sheds his jacket and displays suspenders and rolled up sleeves. Any true Alabamian will tell you that these are sure signs that a storm is imminent!
Two really strong storm systems have come through since we have had little ones. Both nights found us huddled in my mom’s basement, while Jason watched James Spann, and I tried not to become a total basket case! (I should insert here that I completely, utterly, totally HATE storms!!) Each time, I was elected to hold Camryn, while my mom held and played with Brynlee.,,,,,since Jason was our resident James Spann correspondent. It’s hard, really hard, to keep a calm face and voice, when you hear a meteorologist say TWO tornadoes are heading toward your “safe place.” I just held on to Camryn for dear life and prayed for the storm to pass quickly. I had visions of walking through Pleasant Grove two years earlier, and I was terrified that we were about to live through that again. Thankfully, we were spared any damage from the two tornadoes, and we finished out the night on a futon and air mattress in my mom’s basement.
Flash forward a couple weeks, and I’m driving the girls to daycare. Our morning soundtrack usually consists of an alternating playlist of Frozen or Darius Rucker…..You can easily recognize us as the girls in the bright blue SUV belting out “Let it go, let it gooooooo!” quickly followed by a rousing round of “Wagonwheel”….Well, that morning, I left the radio on and heard “I Am,” by Crowder. As soon as the chorus started, I thought about holding Camryn during the storm.
“I am
Holding on to You
I am
Holding on to You
In the middle of the storm
I am holding on
I am”
During the tornadoes, I was determined to hold onto Camryn as tightly as I could….as if in my arms she was completely safe. I curled her little, wiggly self into my lap and forced her to be still. I covered her completely with my arms and body. It’s just a mom’s instincts…..especially a mom that is terrified of storms. I knew, without asking, that Jason was ready to step in and do the same thing with Brynlee as soon as the storm got close enough. Thank God that didn’t happen.
But the chorus got me thinking…..In the middle of all of our storms, we aren’t alone. Even when we feel completely alone, isolated and insecure, God is still holding us. I just pictured myself curled up and being held through the craziness of the storms that we have all weathered. Through changing jobs, lost babies and family members, normal ups and downs of everyday life…….
“I am
Holding on to You
I am
Holding on to You
In the middle of the storm
I am holding on
I am”
There aren’t many thoughts that are more comforting. If the two tornadoes had hit our “safe place,” I would have used every ounce of my energy to keep my girls safe!! So, how much more does God look out for and hold onto US?!
“Love like this
Oh my God to find
I am overwhelmed
With a joy divine
Love like this sets our hearts on fire!!”
The Unintentional Pledge 