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“You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall.”
Isaiah 25:4 (NIV)

When it rains…it pours.

What do you think about when you hear that phrase? Think about Morton Table Salt. Can you picture it in your mind…see the cute little girl, standing in the pouring rain, sheltered by her big umbrella?

Morton Salt dates back to 1848. In 1911, the company developed a breakthrough in table salt technology. Because of no clumping and free pouring salt, their slogan became “When it rains, it pours.”

Did your mind go to the Morton slogan for salt, or did you think about the old English proverb which suggested when troubles come, they come one after another.

Life Happens and Troubles Come

We are all grown up girls here. Having lived long enough to be called adults, we have lived through and dealt with troubles. Life happens. That is just the truth of the matter.

So, why does it seem from the time of that diagnosis, prognosis, or that terrible, life-changing call…when his heart stopped beating…we seem to be assaulted on every side with TROUBLE!

Trouble…with a megaphone

Does it seem like from the very day of our loss, TROUBLE has stood with a megaphone screaming what must be dealt with, tended to…NOW.

August 2011, a wildfire is out of control in Texas. It makes the news as the wind and dry conditions take it across acre after acre. Special online sites post updates. I watched and listened as it burned closer and closer to our home.

A call came from my husband. “The entrance to The Cliffs is on fire. I have to find a way to get to the house and get the dogs.”

We lost our home that day. With the help of a good friend and a firefighter, Steve was able to save our dogs.

August, 2020 – Where there’s smoke there’s fire

Wildfires are bad again. Our boys and I sit on the bluff and watch a terrible fire about four miles from us, watch helicopters and planes pour water for hours. The next morning, we see smoke. There is a new fire all along the bluff on our property.

I wanted to cry, “King’s X, Time Out, Mercy, Lord.”
All those things we shouted when things got too hard to bear as children.

It’s too hard. Didn’t we only make it through the troubles before because we stood hand-in-hand with our husbands? Leaning on each other for strength?

From the first day without our husbands, instant change.

• Captain of the House
• Property Protector
• Equipment Repairman
• Decision Maker
• Storm Watcher
• Lawn Keeper
• Bill Payer
• Exhorter of Self (It’s hard to be your own cheerleader.)

The megaphone screams “Team of One”

For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall.”

Grief can be ruthless, so can the lies of our enemy. Truthfully, it was good to hold the hands of our husbands through the storm, but we can all give testimony that the Lord stood with us in the storm and carried us through. He is faithful.

In every new title I’ve assumed, God has brought co-captains, friends who notify me of storms approaching, neighbors who are skilled repairmen, firemen, Forestry Service and a son and son-in-law who stood at the end of the day making sure every flame was out.

God has given me a wonderful team of many. He has heard every cry for mercy and scooped me up and taken me to shelter. He provides ‘time out’ when needed and a place to rest in Him.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:2 (NIV)

Oh Heavenly Father, we thank You for each reminder that we are not alone. You are our Refuge and a refreshing shade from the heat. Amen