Redeeming Precious God-Given Time through the Storm

Photo courtesy Cindy Sproles

Photo courtesy of www.pixabay.com and theredrecruiter Thunderstorms form quickly in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Deep rumbles roll across the peaks dotted with lighting strikes that illuminates the dark mountain silhouettes. You always know when a storm is on the rise.

Such a storm passed through on a Sunday evening a week ago, causing darkness to settle in the nooks and crannies of the old farmhouse. My husband and I waited in stillness to see if the electricity would be restored.

One flicker, then another, then total darkness again. Feeling my way to a lantern we kept ready for such occasions caused more that one exclamation of ouch! The lantern cast a small circle of pale yellow light softening sharp edges of furniture and adding the look of an old-world painting to the room.

The television was lifeless as well as computers and phones. What were we to do?

I pulled the curtains back from the large window and we watched as God spoke through his handiwork. The trees swayed in the storm’s wind as if dancing to heavenly music. The lighting strikes highlighted everyday beauty I often took for granted…

And we worshiped.photo courtesy pixabay.com Free for commercial use / No attribution required

We read Bible verses in that soft lantern light; verses that proclaimed God’s great power over wind and water. We sang old hymns. . .sometimes straining to remember words written decades ago, words that thrilled my spirit…

And we prayed.

Prayed for each other, our family, our friends, and the world. We prayed until we felt saturated with the Lord’s love and grace…

And then we sat still.

We were still, each in our own thoughts. I closed my eyes as the thunder clapped and the wind howled, shaking the windowpanes of the old house. I was still before the Lord…

And we listened.

Listened for His voice and rejoiced when we heard from him…

And we gave thanks.

Thanks for a respite…to restore our souls, to regain the joy that the business of life and modern devises can steal.

My husband and I decided to reclaim this Sabbath rest each week. I am thankful for the storm’s darkness that drew us back into His light.

EphPhoto courtesy Cindy Sprolesesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The next time you experience a loss of electricity from a thunderstorm … rejoice in His rest. Redeem the time that earthy devices so stealthy steal.

It doesn’t take a storm to start the redemption process of valuable family time. Perhaps start on a weekend night…have a basket at hand where each family member places his turned-off cell phone, to be reclaimed after a determined amount of time and family activity.

Remember, each day is a gift…use it wisely!

Dee Dee Parker

Dee Dee Parker infuses wisps of Southern grace throughout both her writing and speaking. She is the author of a children’s book, Josie Jo’s Got to Know. She has contributed to numerous anthologies, such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, God’s Provision for Tough Times and Clothes Lines. Dee Dee writes for Christian Devotions US, Guidepost books as well as Focus On the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. magazine. Her first Christmas novella has landed in the hands of her agent. Dee Dee lives snuggled among the NC Appalachian Mountains with her husband Jim, a retired minister, and their spoiled snoodle, Greta. Email Dee Dee at deedeeparker@charter.net

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8 comments

    1. Thank you, Cathy. We’ve been blessed to share
      the Lord’s handiwork here in the mountains.

  1. What a beautiful post which reminds me that even in a storm God desires that I draw from His presence as He demonstrates His power. What an awesome God we serve.

    1. Thank you for commenting, Beth. It is wonderful that we know who calms the storms in our lives.

  2. Once again Dee Dee your words speak to me. This is one to keep and return and reread when the hurry scurry of life starts to take over. I especially liked this line of yours:

    “I pulled the curtains back from the large window and we watched as God spoke through his handiwork.”

    Thank-you for ministering to me. :))

    1. Debbie, thank you for your gift of encouragement. In the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina, God often speaks through His handiwork.

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