A couple of nights ago, I was awakened at 2:30 a.m. to the shrill whine of tornado sirens outside my window. Ah, springtime in Oklahoma.
Giant chunks of hail hit my window, and my daughter came careening down my hall in a fit of fear before I could even sit upright in my bed. (My boys, incidentally, did not wake up. I suspect that if the roof lifted off our house and some tree branches reached in and picked the boys up and shook them upside down, they might wake up. Might.)
As I held my daughter and tried to awaken, I noticed the room was illuminated by the soft glow of our tiny television, and my husband was silhouetted, sitting at the foot of our bed. His eyes were honed in to a scary-looking radar screen.
"Shhhh," he whispered. "Go back to sleep. I'll keep an eye on things, and I'll wake you up if we need to go to the shelter."
For about 2.4 seconds I considered arguing with him. Then I looked at my daughter, who had already fallen back asleep in my cushy bed, and I just nodded. I was horizontal and sound asleep before I could think another thought.
The night dragged on, storms ravaging our city. I awakened several more times to thunderous, howling noise, but my sleepy eyes always saw, first of all, my husband at the television. And every time, I relaxed instantly, dropping back to sleep.
The visual image is staying with me powerfully: my strong husband, quietly yet sharply keeping watch over his family, while the rest of us were sleeping too soundly to know to be thankful. We just slept, because it's what you do at nighttime, and we left all the safety issues to him.
And I wonder, as I navigate other kinds of "storms"--will the day ever come when I rest quite as easily in God's watchful care? His silhouette may not be as visible--to my eyes, anyway--as that of my husband's, but He is surely perched just as soundly at the foot of my bed, on the hood of my car, on the shoulder of my children, on a dusty road in Uganda. May I trust, and rest.
I pray that the Lord will give me such a great and strong husband like yours. :)
Posted by: TransitionGirl | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:14 AM
What a great man you have. Like the young woman above me, I too am praying for a husband that will someday watch over me and our children.
Posted by: Bethany | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Love the analogy of God watching over us, of resting under his watchfulness. Of knowing He is present even in the storms.
Posted by: chrissie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:09 AM
i love that analogy
Posted by: Kilikina | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:25 AM
I simply love this post. What a wonderful picture of love...resting in the knowledge that you are being watched over.
Posted by: Deidra | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:26 AM
dude. Awesome.
Posted by: Lorraine | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 04:28 AM
Great analogy--I was thinking, "Man, I wish I would trust God that much" before you even got to your point.
Also, kudos to your husband for giving up his sleep to be his family's protector. You're a blessed woman.
Posted by: Minnesotamom | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 04:45 AM
That was beautiful! Perfect image of what a marriage should be as compared to God's love & protection for us as well.
Posted by: Elisa | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:12 AM
Just another reason why I'm so proud of my wonderful son-in-law!
Posted by: mimi2six | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:20 AM
aw, great post and a great reminder about God's care for us :)
Posted by: Jenn | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:22 AM
Thank you for that wonderful picture! Just thank you it touch my heart this morning!
Posted by: Kim | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:29 AM
I'm so thankful I have the Lord to protect and guide my family as well. But, I have to admit that I'm the offical weather girl in my house. I'm always the first one up to watch the weather and make sure we don't need to run to shelter. My sweet, wonderful, God-loving husband could sleep right through a tornado. At least we all have the Master Weather Man, keeping watch over us at night!
Posted by: Georgia Mom | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:31 AM
Amen.
Posted by: Ladybug Crossing | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 05:45 AM
May it be so.
Way to go Mr. Dryer.
Posted by: chocolatechic | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:03 AM
God is even more trustworthy than our human husbands. How marvelous to know it is His hand that sends our men to protect us. Ladies without husbands, when you look for your husband to be, be wise. Look for a man who believes what you believe and will have the same commitment you have to God and to marriage, not necessarily one who momentarily "turns you on." Hearts are deceitful as God's word says. Feelings change. Shannon, you and your family were in my thoughts and prayers as I listened to the weather reports. I also thought of my sis in Arkansas in the same path.
Posted by: Mary | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Thanks for a beautiful post. Just what I needed to start my day.
Posted by: Nikki | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:30 AM
WAAAAAH!! This is a wonderful, powerful bit o' imagery.
*sniffle* Thank you.
Posted by: Jenni | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:32 AM
That is beautiful. Thanks!
Posted by: Richelle F | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:34 AM
That was a beautiful post! I am going to link my readers to it. It is something we all need to be reminded of!!
Posted by: April | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Very nice...we all need to be reminded of God's ever-present care.
Posted by: Judy | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 06:55 AM
You painted a beautiful picture. One I needed to see. Today. Thank you.
Posted by: We are THAT family | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Beautifully written!
Posted by: Sarah | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Thanks so much for sharing your story...it was so touching.
Posted by: TZ | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Oh and I was looking at your reading list...I loved My Antonia, just the way she described the fields of wheat was poetic.
Posted by: TZ | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:25 AM
What a beautiful post. Wow.
I was actually praying for you Oklahoma folks last night. A big storm passed through here sometime in the middle of the night (don't know what time since the clocks went out). I used to love thunderstorms but now that I'm a mother I hate them -- they remind me how powerless I am against larger forces. I was actually thinking something similar (although less eloquent) to what you posted here, that I needed to turn to God and rest, but instead I went down to my computer to obsess about the radar and try to figure out when it would end.
I saw that we were only exposed to the tail end of the system, but that Tulsa and Oklahoma city were getting pounded. So, if you're near either of those areas, I was sitting at my computer praying for you in the middle of the night last night. :)
Posted by: Jennifer (Et Tu?) | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:30 AM
Thank you for giving me the images and thoughts that came from this post. It was exactly what I needed today.
Posted by: Cassidy | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:32 AM
What an awesome post! You built such
a wonderful word picture of a biblical
truth and promise. Yes...He is always there, ever-watching and ever-protecting.
May we continue to learn to rest securely
under His loving care, in the midst of life's storms. Thanks for this reminder!
I needed it today!
Posted by: Lois | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:36 AM
Beautiful analogy. Thank you.
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:46 AM
What a beautiful post and a wonderful analogy. Thank you.
Posted by: canadacole | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:48 AM
What a great thought to start my day with. Thank you for sharing this!
Posted by: Erin K | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 07:55 AM
That's such a beautiful story. In my family, I'm the light sleeper that keeps watch through the night. Last night was the 2nd time this week weather kept me awake. You know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking I'm exhausted - and that God isn't is an even greater testament to his mighty strength!
Posted by: A&EMom | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:14 AM
That is wonderful and strange that I had the same experience this morning. It is nice to know that we have a protector in our home and from the one that made the storm.
Posted by: Marie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Phenominally written...Thank you Lord for loving, protective husbands! May we ALL find rest in You.
Posted by: Hope | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Awesome.
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM
What a beautiul picture of the Father! Watching over us even when we don't acknowledge it:)
Posted by: ashlee | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Lovely post. I suppose we all have to work on resting in Him. It's not second nature. But we'll get there with His help!
Posted by: disty | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:21 AM
Your Mr. is a keeper!
Posted by: Kim | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:29 AM
We're in the Tulsa area and I slept through it all! Our electricity went out a while and I woke enough to notice but that was it. Dh woke up, though I think he was up worring about hail claims since he works in the auto insurance field!
Posted by: Anne | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:37 AM
I know what you mean. I'm from Texas and can't seem to get used to this weather here. Nothing like having tornados in the middle of the night. Great post!
Posted by: Laura ~texasokie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Your husband is a good man. Awesome post.
Posted by: Heather | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM
That was beautiful, and exactly the way my husband is with our family. I'm sure, when I tell him about this, he'll be honored at the comparison of his vigilance to that of God's protective hand over us.
Thank you.
Posted by: Shanna | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Amen and Amen!
Posted by: Mommy Cracked | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:04 AM
That's a beautiful picture!
Thanks!
Posted by: Mrs. Troop | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:10 AM
I was awake too that night..we are north of you and we didn't get the tornadoes, but the wind, hail and rain woke me up. I got up and watched the radar worrying about my family's safety. I could have used that time to pray, but didn't. Thanks for the little wake up call.
Posted by: Heather Crawley | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Loved this anaology! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Tootie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Wow. I had to de-lurk. What an amazing post! You are so eloquent. Thank you for taking the time to post on this blog. I read your blog everyday. Your stories always move me and inspire me. Thank you.
Posted by: Purvi | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:22 AM
i am crying and it's 10 a.m. thanks for a good word this morning
Posted by: Amber | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:25 AM
I'm in tears, Shannon. Beautiful.
Posted by: Big Mama | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:26 AM
I was just thinking that I haven't done my devotions yet today (I usually do them after I get all the kiddos off to school)... But I realize that I HAVE thanks to the beautiful image you painted of our heavenly Father... Thank you.
Posted by: LeeAnn (AKA FrazzMom) | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:31 AM
That was so lovely. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for such a wonderful, comforting visual.
Posted by: Karen | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:38 AM
What a good husband.
Posted by: Emily | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:46 AM
What a good husband. The best husbands remind us of God that way, I think.
Posted by: Emily | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Thanks for sharing. Easier said than done sometimes, but thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Wow....
Posted by: Beth @ A Quest for Relevance | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:00 AM
What a great picture of our Heavenly Father!
Posted by: sheila@momfessions | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:02 AM
I remember those Oklahoma nights. Now that I am one state over they do occasionally still come, but I do not miss them. Going to the basement in the middle of the night makes for the strangest memories when you get up in the morning.
This was a beautiful analogy. Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by: lovedandamazed | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Shannon, this made me cry. What a beautiful post from your hubby taking care of his family to resting in the watchful care of the Lord.
Posted by: Susanne | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Loved this.
Posted by: zoom | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Very sweet. I loved the picture you created in my mind.
Posted by: Susie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I must live somewhere near you because the exact same weather hit us a few nights ago and another one last night. My husband didn't stay up all night but we woke up a few times to check the weather.
Thank goodness it didnt result in a trip to the storm shelter.
www.elizabethandchad.blogspot.com
Posted by: Elizabeth | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:22 AM
I live in California and we don't have tornados, but we have earthquakes. For those there are no warning sirens or radar screens. But, I am sure that God is sitting at the end of the bed in the midst of earthquakes. What a great analogy you gave of your husband. What a great guy.
Posted by: Ginny | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:41 AM
This was a perfect post.
Posted by: jennielynn | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Can I just say that your husband is pretty awesome?
Seriously, though. I am kind of waiting for a storm right now. This post is what I needed today.
Posted by: Melanie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
What a wonderful post. Romantic, comforting and convicting.
Thank you....
Posted by: jan | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:59 AM
What a gorgeous analogy, Shannon. You're right. He is watching over every single minute of the day.
(Your Hubs... he sure knows how to make his wife feel safe an secure as well. Huge kudos to him. I suggest that you make his favorite dinner tonight, Shannon. With care like that, he certainly deserves it!)
Posted by: Shalee | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Great post. I really appreciate the way you honor your husband here for how he cares for your family. In a society where husband-bashing has become the norm, your post is breath of fresh air.
Posted by: Cherissa | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Great post! Thanks for the reminder
Posted by: Lisa T. | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Shannon, what a beautiful parallel! Thanks for giving us a birds-eye view into your heart!!
Posted by: GiBee | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Great post! God's been speaking to me in so many ways lately, drawing near to me as I draw near to him. It's such a blessing to know that we serve a God who loves us more than we can think or imagine.
Posted by: Kris | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:13 PM
Thanks for this analogy. I often wonder what storms in life will come in this crazy world. I'm also thankful for faith in God and the wonderful, strong husband I have.
Posted by: Beth | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:22 PM
That was a beautiful post, it gave me goosebumps.
Posted by: Carrie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Incredible post. God bless your husband for taking care of his family and giving you such a feeling of security.
Posted by: Kaye | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:24 PM
That is exactly what happened in our house. Husband at the TV, me in bed with the kids sleeping--knowing that he would never let anything happen to us. Very well put.
Posted by: chilihead | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:33 PM
wow thanks for the visual.
Posted by: becky | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:33 PM
What a wonderful illustration of God's love! And how some wonderful husbands take to heart His imperative to love us as Christ loves the church. Absolutely lovely. We are truly blessed!
PS: I started a giveaway yesterday, and plan to participate in the Bloggy Giveaway later in the month! I'm a long-time reader of your posts, and have loved them all.
Posted by: Mrs. Pharris | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Amen.
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Lovely post! I've often thought the same thing when my husband travels. I have become totally neurotic about going to sleep at night without him in the house- I wake up at every little sound, double check all the doors, leave lights on that normally don't stay on, shut the cat in the laundry room so she won't scare the patootie out of me during her nocturnal adventures. But my kids? They're perfectly content because MOM'S in the house, and go to bed with nary a care. So why can't I be as peaceful, knowing that my Heavenly Father is standing watch over us all?
Posted by: Simply Sandy | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:49 PM
What a wonderful visual of God keeping watch over us.
Posted by: Kelly | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Oh sweet mercy, this one had me in tears. I am so thankful that He is always there.
Posted by: Brandie | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:00 PM
After reading this post, here's a shot of my radar screen...
eyes: misty
throat: big lump
thick head: trying to absorb
How great, how wide, how deep, how strong is His awesome love for us. I, too, need to learn to relaX and trust. ThanX for making me pause and reflect. Enjoy the blessing of that wonderful man you call husband.
Blessings,
diXymiss
Posted by: diXymiss | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Wow. I so needed this. I am not resting. And I need to be.
Posted by: Andi | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Wow, precious story. What a neat image.
Posted by: Koala Bear Writer | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:37 PM
Thanks, I totally needed that today. Both for the reminder of God's watchful care and my husband's. They were each getting a mental "Where are you?" from me. And yet, they have remained constant. The real question should be, "Where am I?"
Posted by: franticallysimple | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:37 PM
This was a wonderful reminder to one whose husband isn't home this year to watch over his family... it is easy for my heart to be anxious as I'm home alone night after night after night with two littles. Thank you, Shannon.
Posted by: Ashleigh (Heart and Home) | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:46 PM
That is a beautiful post. I too have a godly husband who shows me pictures of my Father in how he cares for me. We are blessed indeed!
Posted by: Terry | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:48 PM
What a sweet post....a sweet man.....for a thankful woman.....precious....God Bless, Pam, South Bend
Posted by: Pam | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Wow, thanks for that post! I really needed it with all that is going on with our 3 1/2 year old these days! Keep her in your prayers, her name is Rachel!
Thanks,
Angela
Posted by: Angela (Dimplequeen) | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:01 PM
...He who watches over you will not slumber...Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep......Ps.121 Our Comfort in times of storm (physical or other!!)
Posted by: Leanne from Canada | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:08 PM
Wow - what a great post, great husband and a wonderful God!
Posted by: Summer | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Beautiful! And ever so true. I often trust so much more easily in the people around me than my Heavenly Father
Posted by: Sarah@because of abigail | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Take away my breath, Shannon.
And I want Him to, that kind of love hovering close, watching. As He watches over the sparrow...
Posted by: Ann @ Holy Experience | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Whoa, I just wrote a post on the same subject, too. What a good husband you have. Glad you are safe and sound.
Posted by: kris | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Beautiful.
Does your husband monitor snow storms, too? Because there's a whopper headed our way.
(Oh, who am I kidding? I a weather NUT! I'm the one who monitors the radar in our family. But it doesn't work as well for the analogy.)
Posted by: Kelly @ Love Well | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Beautiful observation and parallels. That was an encouragement to me today.
Posted by: Molly | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I am blessed by the watchfulness and care your husband showed over your family. I believe the reason that is so beautiful is because it shows the father heart of God for a husband and father to watch over his family as He watches over us.
I am reminded of many a mother who also keeps a silent, watchful vigilance over sick loved ones through the night. I'm glad God gave us families to go through life with!
Posted by: Jenny | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Nicely put, Shannon.
Being from a country where we don't have tornadoes, I'd like to ask: do you have a shelter in your house? (Basement?) Or do you have to go somewhere?
Posted by: Nic | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 03:20 PM
What a great statement you made in that final paragraph. I can just feel everyone exhale as they read that.
We all could stand to trust in Him more.
Posted by: sara m. | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 03:32 PM
That is a powerful image, and so sweet.
Posted by: Heather J. | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 04:03 PM
WOW! I don't know that I'd fall back to sleep. I grew up in Ohio until I was in 4th grade and I do remember the tornado warnings. I don't miss them.
Glad you didn't have to retreat to the shelter. And I love the visual of your hubby standing guard for his family. What security that brings. You are blessed.
Posted by: Kirstin | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 04:14 PM
Beautiful.
I grew up in Okla - I have similar memories of my Daddy doing the same so that we could sleep.
Thanks for sharing this morsel of truth the Holy Spirit gave you.
Posted by: richelle | Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 04:15 PM