The storms of life

This third week of January has brought us some of the craziest weather I've seen in a long time. The other night I witnessed torrential downpours, hail the size of blueberry's, lightning and thunder, howling winds and flooding. As a father and husband I find myself on the constant lookout for potential trouble around our house. I'll call it instinctual protection for my wife and kids.

My kids on the other hand, are giddy with excitement and taking it all in with a sense of wonderment only a kid has. This morning my 8 year old couldn't wait to pull out of the freezer the hail we collected last night. I have to admit, it's pretty cool seeing a bowl full of hail in our San Diego freezer. It's a safe bet to say that it's the closest thing we'll ever get to snow here in the southwestern most tip of the continental U.S.

I learned early on in our marriage and parenting that whether they ever actually say it or not, they are counting on me to "protect the castle." And you know what, to the best of my ability, that is my job. I take the task seriously and do my best to look out for all our safety. If I'm doing my job right, then my wife and kids will feel safe and secure.

I will always be limited in my earthly capacity as a husband and father. In reality, the ultimate protection comes from our heavenly Father. If I am doing my best to follow God's leading in my life, prayerfully considering each choice and action that follows, then my family has a greater protection than I can ever offer. When the storms of life hit, be it a disaster on the grand scale of Haiti, or the rain we've received here, we need to remember that God is still in control. Our job is to be prepared, use the ingenuity and skills God has given us, make wise choices and follow his lead out of the storms.