Moms, Storms and God

Moms can tell when a storm is brewing, so when the alarm sounds in the middle of the night, she is ready to take action.  

Yesterday afternoon, I sensed a storm was brewing.  My daughter stepped off the bus with her shoulders slumped and a face sad enough to soften the hardest heart.  Her head hurt; her tummy hurt and she crawled into bed as soon as she got in the house.  As I crawled into bed later last night, I knew the storm was close.

The alarm sounded for me early this morning -- the sound of my daughter throwing up.  If you are a mom, you too, are familiar with the alarm.  It wakes you from the deepest sleep, crying out with urgent sounds that demand you to come immediately.  By the way, why is it that husbands are deaf to this alarm?

I digress.

As the alarm quickly awakened all my senses, I climbed out of bed, threw my robe around my shoulders and ran to help my little girl. Her shoulders quaked and her tears fell easily onto my hands that held her. After cleaning her up, I made a cozy bed for her on the couch, snuggled her favorite stuffed animal under her arm and sat at her feet while holding an ice pack on her feverish back.  Soon enough, she dozed off to sleep.  I couldn't help but remain by her side and stare at her sweet face.  I thought to myself what amazing love a mother feels towards her child.  But my thought quickly drifted to another:

What amazing love our heavenly Father feels for us, his children.

He knows when a storm is brewing in your life long before it rocks your world. When your cry reaches his heart in the middle of the night, he hears and rushes with urgency to your side.  The Bible says he never slumbers nor sleeps. Instead he watches over you, never removing you from his loving gaze. He is your ever-present help in time of trouble.  

I wonder if you are facing a storm right now that, like my daughter, makes your shoulders quake and tears fall from your eyes?  Have you cried out to your heavenly Father?  He longs to rush to your rescue, comfort you and catch your tears in his hands.  He will caress your sweet face and cause you to sleep in peace. As he comforts you, he will think to himself, "Oh, how I love her."

Friend, you can trust him with the storm and the pain it's causing your heart. He is so gentle and will restore you to fullness of joy.  

It's still the middle of the night as I write this.  My daughter lifts her weary head off her pillow and looks my way, "Don't go anywhere, Mama.  Stay close to me."

"I'm right her, my sweet girl.  I'm right here.  Now close your eyes and rest."

Sweet friend, hear God whisper those words to your heart right now. Whatever storm you're facing, do not fear.  Your Father is with you right this moment.  Do not be dismayed, for your Father is God. He will strengthen you and help you.  He will uphold you with his righteous right hand (Is. 41:10).  He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6).

Love you, friend, but Jesus loves you more.

Anna Frye is a speaker, author, television host and founder of the Chosen and Crowned tribe. She invites moms and wives to celebrate imperfect progress fueled by the grace of a perfect God. She helps women bravely talk about the messy places of life, instead of hiding shamefully under them. She believes that lasting beauty comes when women courageously surrender their ashes to God and allow him to do something mind-blowingly amazing with them. If this resonates with you, then you belong with the Chosen and Crowned tribe. Connect at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog