I don't recall having so many night storms as we have had in the last few
years. This particular night, I was jolted awake by a loud clap of thunder
and the ever increasing sound of rain collecting on the roof top.  First it
tapped on the roof gently but incessantly.   Then it opened up to a steady
drone, and quickly grew in to a deluge, pounding the roof with a loud roar
and drenching everything in its path.  I wondered by the size of the
droplets if it was going to turn in to hale and wreak havoc on the beautiful
flowers on my patio and the large produce garden next door.  .  Rory, my
5-year-old Yellow Labrador who has taken a sound dislike to the noisy
thunder was restless.  I knew he didn't like the sudden interruption to his
sleep anymore than I did.  I thought, however, that he might really need to
go outside to relieve himself, as he kept insisting on prancing back and
forth to the door.  I didn't relish the thought of going out, but The rain
began to let up, and I thought we could manage to slip out, take care of
business and get back inside quickly while there appeared to be a lull in
the action.  So I dressed, after a fashion, and took the leash from it's
standard abode, fastened it to Rory's collar and placed my hand on the door
knob.  Just that second, the words, "don't go out there," went through my
mind.  Then,  the next words more powerfully spoken, "do not go out there."
Instantly there was a loud clap of thunder with a crack to it.  I knew by
that sound that the lightning was close.  and I had that Erie physical
feeling that happens when an electrical storm has just dumped a bunch of
current in to the air.  I stood there shaking from my sandled feet to the
top of my head, knowing that God in his infinite wisdom had just placed his
protective hand over the two of us.  The storm continued to rage, however, I
found myself focusing away from the storm and onto those words still ringing
in my spirit.  I was afraid.  No longer of the storm, but I feared
disobeying that protective covering I was now so keenly aware of. Whether
those words were spoken in to my spirit and echoed through my mind, or
whether there was a real audible voice, I'm not sure.  It really doesn't
matter.  The results were the same.  My shaking hand released from the door
knob, I put the leash back in its place, and person and beast returned to
their beds with the continuing steady pitter patter of rain drops on the
roof, and the sound of thunder fading in to the distance..  Both of us
settled down to finish our rest for the night knowing that the Creator God
still cares for his creatures, wondering if a healthy dose of fear of
disobeying the Lord in any way might not be good for all of us .