Last night was one such night. The rain poured down and thunder rumbled. I had heard there were chances of tornados but having grown up here in the heartland I have come to take for granted how a tornado can touch one house and not another or be two miles away and not be aware until you watch the news later.
As my daughter slept up in her crib, my husband and I sat downstairs watching a little tv to unwind. The storm blew outside but neither of us thought much about it. The weather radio was on and quiet. All was calm until I got a text..and then another...and another.
One friend was concerned about the weather; nervous because she is new to the area. Before I could respond to reassure her another friend said she was concerned too because the tornado sirens were going off. They were debating if they should wake their girls and head to the basement.
The friend hearing the sirens lives only two miles away. I rushed to a window to look out, suddenly feeling like my daughter's bedroom upstairs was too far away. I checked the radar and sat listening to the sounds of the storm. Our nearest siren did not go off but I was on alert.
It's funny how motherhood can change a person in ways you never imagine. I was always the girl running outside when the sirens went off to "get a good look." I would whisper a short prayer if I got nervous and trust it to calm me. My guardian angels stayed busy.
Now I find myself worrying about things I have weathered a million times but in a whole new way. A child changes the perspective. I have never prayed so much in my life and I would give all my guardian angels to this child in a heartbeat to know she had a little extra protection.
Last night turned out fine with no tornados or destruction. We all stayed safe and dry inside our home and I did not even have to wake her to go to the basement. But it showed me how much I have changed. It showed me I probably need to get back into the routine of some of my calming practices. And it showed me where my heart lives.
I'm grateful to witness the difference in my reaction now that I have a child. I'm grateful for the deep and protective love I have for my daughter. I'm grateful for my mom friends and all the support systems in my life. I'm grateful the storm stayed calm in our area last night. I'm grateful my dogs were able to handle the storm without getting too nervous. And I'm grateful for recognizing my own need for stress reducing activities.
What do you do during a storm? How do you react to the "storms" of life? What perspectives have changed for you as you have gotten older or life situations have changed?
May today renew our faith. May we witness our fears without riding them and may we find ways to calm our hearts. Have a beautiful day!