Winds

The Texas wildfires over the past couple of weeks (as well as the fears of new possibilities) brought back memories of December, 2005.  This is our pasture and the flames were less than a mile away before the winds changed.  Below is the pasture again, in a spring that had lots of rain that give the green we love so much.

The smell of smoke, mingled with a lot of west Texas dust, blew through Friday, April 15, irritating lungs and throats, but there were no clouds of smoke as in the upper photo.

The storms that missed us with their rain that weekend brought strong winds, moved eastward, turning the wind into destructive, deadly tornados.  This past weekend we received more rain from lines of storms – along with high winds and hail.

I can be grateful, back in 2005 and again today, that we were spared damage.  Many homes then and now were not.  Could I be grateful if I had lost our home to flame or funnel?  I pray that I could. You see, our God has asked that we be grateful for everything:

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV)

So far the greatest tragedies we have faced have been the deaths of loved ones.  In each instance we were able to give thanks for knowing them, loving them, their love for the Lord and that love they shared with us.  Even in the death of our five-year old nephew we were able to thank God for the time we had with him, as short as it was.

Death, however, is expected.  It will come to each of us.  The Bible mentions it:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,

We tend to overlook the rest of that verse, ignoring it because it reminds us that the aftermath of disasters must be handled.  We cannot ignore the cleanup after earthquakes, fires, floods or funnels. We must deal with the consequences.

but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27 KJV)

Residents of places prone to natural disasters make preparations. Buildings are reinforced for earthquakes, firebreaks are built, levees prepared, ‘fraidy holes’ put underground.  In some instances, these fail.  There are promises from God that He will not.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. [Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV]

I suggest we make our preparations for that final appointment.  Do not go unprepared.