Photo Credit – Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune

Yesterday the night time skies exploded with the power of God. The end of a hot, humid August day was devoid of a sunset. Instead it was replaced with a slowly darkening sky and lightening which filled the expanse with electrical fireworks. Minnesota is known for its fantastic summer weather. We don’t have hurricanes, earthquakes or Tsunamis, but we are well known for tornadoes,, straight line winds, wind chills and blizzards. Still, Minnesota is the source of many summer retreats to the cabin and fun on a lake.

Last night’s storm brought God’s special effects into the forefront. Ominous clouds appeared on the horizon as Paul quickly tended to some low lying branches on our black walnut tree. Tornado sirens sounded as Friday night prime time TV was overtaken by local weather information. For three hours the quickly changing reports floated across the screen, warning us to take cover. Paul always tells me to take cover, but then proceeds to continue watching the skies. I reminded him of that.

The sky went through so many changes with that storm. It started turning yellowish at about 5 PM. It then slowly filled with blackened clouds. Soon the familiar greenish color appeared. Then the clouds began to churn like blackened whipping cream spinning in a mixing bowl. Within a very short time, the clouds let loose and all the humidity stored in them fell violently to the ground. The rain was mixed with hail at times. Wind made it appear to be falling horizontally for a while. The furious lightening cruised across the heavens as rumbles of thunder shouted the presence of God.

The actual storm, in our neighborhood, lasted for maybe 20 minutes and quickly moved on to the next community. As it left, the sky began to turn orange. I suppose because the sun was about to set and the rays from it were being exposed. When it began to turn red, I almost wondered for a moment if this was our last day on earth and Jesus would soon appear in the clouds. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the ca=e. Instead we were treated to an amazing sunset of red, gold, silver and yellow.

It made me think of how powerful God is. Mankind has still not found a way to control the weather. For now, we are sitting in the midst of a pandemic. Our political climate is creating even more division amongst us. Corruption runs rampant. Violence rings in our streets and horrific acts of terror, hatred and anger rage. Emotional stability is out of control. Still our God never changes. He alone controls the spinning of the earth, the storms and the power of his breath.

To imagine that He is looking out for each and everyone of us gives me complete rest. He won’t let us go, if we hang on tightly to Him.