He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Mark 4:39 NIV

I love the fresh, clean smell spring rain brings to the air. But I am not a fan of severe weather. Those little rain showers can kick up in a matter of minutes. Growing up in Louisiana I dealt with hurricanes and the tornados they spawned. Hearing the warning sirens of an approaching tornado was commonplace. I learned to read the clouds, always looking for the cloud that suddenly drops with a long tail.

Today, I thought, I really don’t need to see the rain; I need a little sunshine and the joy that it brings to a day. In and out of hospitals left me depleted of energy, and the dark clouds only further drained me. I sat down to read my devotional when it happened. A big clap of thunder hit rattling windows and shaking the house. Out of nowhere my tiny chihuahua came running and leaped into my lap – afraid for his life.

I put my arms around his trembling body and, as I patted his head, I reassured him we were safe. Soon he fell asleep in my arms. I wish I could be that calm in my storms, I thought, as he drifted into a deep sleep.

I remembered the disciples on the boat when the storm came and, in a panic, they woke Jesus. They were having one of those moments when you fill so overwhelmed that you look to sky and ask, “Jesus, are you seeing what I am seeing?”

I realized that I could experience that same peace my dog was feeling in my lap by running to Jesus and letting him throw his arms around me. It meant one thing – letting go and letting God take over. He will either tell the storm to stop or let it continue but hold you tight through the turmoil. We will always have storms, but we have a Holy weatherproofing system in place to protect us.

Mitzie Avera