R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts

"Storms make trees take deeper roots."
Dolly Parton

I am in Tulsa this week meeting a new granddaughter. She's beautiful of course like her older sister. Last night my four year old granddaughter and I slept on the screened in porch, and a really loud, wild, violent thunder/wind/rain storm came up during the night. With every bright, much too-close flash of lightning and every loud peal of thunder she would say, "Yikes!" Since their yard is full of trees, I kept watching to make sure lightning didn't strike one of those trees and send it down on our little porch. I actually thought of avenues of escape if that happened. She just said "Yikes!" I prayed. She was enthralled with wonder and amazement at the show. She peacefully went back to sleep while I did all the worrying. Sometimes during this divorce storm there are things we need to pay heed to, but most of the time we would be better off just quietly accepting the loud noise and the wild wind swirling around us and know like my granddaughter seemingly does, that morning would come as usual, and that the wind in the night had made the trees even stronger and more sure than before.

"I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid."
John 14:27