A
thunder crack filled our room like both barrels
of a shotgun being unloaded at once over our heads.
We sat up straight from a sound sleep, and grabbed
for each other with the sudden fear of this frightening
blast. The words "the wrath of God," rushed through
my mind.
That
was almost 20 years ago. I've never been afraid
of thunderstorms, but that was a startling moment.
Today,
I shout for joy when I hear the thunder crack with
ferocity. That has been my automatic respose for
as long as I can remember. The summer storms of
New England offer far greater opportunity to rejoice
in the thunder, than any season during my 40 years
in southern California.
A
couple of weeks ago, I began to barbecue some steaks
for dinner, and shortly after putting the steaks
on the grill, it began to rain. Then it began to
pour. Then the lightening began to flit across the
skies nearby, and the thunder rolled louder and
louder. Our dog slunk off for a corner of the room,
to cower and shiver - she does that in every thunder
storm. (Some watchdog she is! What good is it to
have your 120 lb. guardian cower in the corner?)
Before
I could finish the steaks, two bolts of lightening
struck within about a block of our house. We lost
power, and it began to hail fingernail sized hail
stones.
All
the while, some crazy kids were dancing in the street.
I was standing out in the rain laughing, and hooting
for the light show myself.
Occasionally
it might be terrifying, but I love the sound of
thunder, and flash of lightening. It reminds me
that I am not alone in the universe.
The
scriptures say that the voice of God is found in
the thunder. Commonly that is considered to be the
awesome voice of a Divine Judge startling his creatures
into submission, but the sound of thunder says something
else to me.
Yes,
I believe that God speaks with correction to humanity.
How could I not believe such a simple thing, when
I look at the mess we have made of this poor planet,
and the innocents on it? Yet, I had rather hear
the correction of God, than be left with the silence
of my Maker. His correction communicates that He
cares. Silence would seem to say He does not.
Every
time I hear the thunder, I am reminded, that God
is out there, and that He speaks to humanity today.
He speaks in the circumstances of my life, and in
the cry of a child. He speaks in the beauty of creation,
and in the voice of friend.
It
may not be in a voice which comes down from the
clouds, but He speaks nonetheless. Well, perhaps
His voice does come down from the clouds every now
and then - at least during these summer storms it
seems like it just might be God speaking.
