In an instant

Sunday afternoon. Around 4pm. 4 minutes of high winds. And then it was over. There wasn't time to sound the tornado sirens, or grab the girls, or realize what was happening. I ran to the office to shut the windows because the rain was coming, and by the time I got to the other side of the house, the tree was already on the house, resting on top of the room where all three girls were sleeping. While the attic was pierced, there was no structural damage, no branches through the windows, and Emma slept on. In 4 minutes, around 30 trees across the street were uprooted from Palmer Park, a garage roof was thrown into the neighbours house, and almost 100 trees in the area are torn down.

I was reminded again that God is the Father and Protector of my girls, and while they are entrusted to me, they are not mine. God can take them home whenever He chooses. I praise God that we were protected from harm. My prayer is that, like Emma, I can rest in peace, despite the storms of this world, trusting that God will guard and protect our lives. And so, we sleep, trusting that he who does not slumber nor sleep, will watch over those who do.