The One who made the wind and the rain---still listens to little boys who are concerned for their cousin flying into the storm.

On the way to Bham yesterday we were traveling right through tornado watch weather. Low hanging gray clouds were rippling across the skies like a not-so-comforting comforter. Since the weather had held better than the forecasters predicted I hadn't left early but instead had waited until school let out. So, we were beginning to catch the first part of rush hour when we heard the radio bulletin for a tornado warning in Tuscaloosa County about 50 miles west of Bham. It was to last through 4pm. That meant that the weather would be really nasty with high winds and that shearing effect that can crash unsuspecting pilot's planes. I felt a shudder in my bones and mentioned my concern out loud.

That's when my son decided to pray. He told me not to worry because the Bible says to pray and not to worry. So, I turned the radio down and tried to send up some signals of faith from my own weary soul.

Two minutes later he asked if I would turn the radio back up. Within 5 minutes we heard the news. The ominous weather system that had been travelling over Tuscaloosa had just broken up and now all the warnings and watches were cancelled. Usually if you're under a watch around here they don't bother to cancel them. And this one had been issued to last until 8pm. Then within minutes it was abruptly cancelled after his prayer. He smiled and I stopped holding my breath and let a smile reach the corners of my own mouth. I'd been humbled by the faith of my 8-y.o. If felt good though.

I hope he carries this story in his memory for the rest of his life. We've talked about how sometimes what we ask is not what would ultimately glorify God's creation the most. Lives have been changed for good through tragedy. So, I want him to know that God isn't a Sugar Daddy. But, he DOES listen to our prayers and he does have our BEST interest and the best interest of the rest of the planet when he answers.

My youngest son wanted to know why God hasn't made him stop sucking his thumb (he desperately wants to stop). "Well," I said, "God won't force you to do anything. He gives you the power to choose. And some habits are deeply engrained and it takes time to undo them. Just remember YOU are VERY SPECIAl to him through the whole process it takes for you to change. He loves you sucking your thumb or not. It is better that you don't suck your thumb (he's worried about his teeth since the denstist has rightly informed us/him that the roots of his front permanent teeth are being compromised (even though he still has baby teeth). But, back to the tornado story...

We got to the airport safely and met my sister and her son.
All the way home we got to see the dogwood lacing through the fresh green foilage of spring. When we got home I played Little House for her with a whole lot more enthusiasm than I've ever recorded it and she likes it a lot.