I have great respect for the power of lightning. This last week a huge wild cherry tree in our backyard was struck by lightning, breaking off a large branch and peeling off the bark. We had no harm to the house but the invisible fence transmitter for our dogs was destroyed, flying off the wall of the garage at least 10 feet. Thankfully, this did not start a fire in the garage. We were very lucky. The damage could have been much worse.

Several years ago, when we lived in Zionsville, our house was struck by lightning. It hit with a terrible boom just around midnight. I looked all around the house for damage or possible fire but could find nothing so I went to bed. My habit every morning was to shower before waking the kids and going downstairs for breakfast. For some reason, that morning I did not. I went downstairs first. When I entered the kitchen, I heard a noise that was unusual. This was a sound I had heard before in a hospital. It was like oxygen coming out of a cylinder with the valve opened completely. I could tell that It was coming from the basement. As I opened the door, the smell of gas was overwhelming. I knew immediately that we were in great danger. I quickly woke Rozie and Garrett. Anna was not at home that night. We walked down to my sister’s house in our PJ’s. I didn’t dare open the garage door or start the car for fear that I would ignite the gas in the basement. There had to be a huge leak for me to hear it. If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have turned off the power to the house which was just next to the door of the garage. But my first thoughts were just on getting out of the house to safety. I called the gas company from Beth’s  and they came immediately. Thankfully, I was able to dress in some of Beth’s clothes to meet the gas guy in something other than my pajamas. As we walked up the drive to the house, his gas detector began to make clicking noises. He remained calm but I could tell he was quite concerned. “Where is your power shut-off?” he asked. “It is usually with your fuse box.” He quickly flipped the power switch off and turned the gas off at the main line outdoors. We were not to go in the house all day even to open windows until the gas had time to dissipate. When a repairman was able to investigate, he found that the lightning had made hundreds of small holes the size of penny nails in the gas line entering the house. The gas was filling our basement all night as we slept. If even the gas water heater had kicked on, the house would have blown up. We were sleeping on a bomb.

The power of lightning is phenomenal. We had many items damaged by it that night including the computer board in our furnace, TV’s and computers. They were not preserved even with surge protectors. But our lives were preserved. We could have easily all died. Why didn’t I shower first that morning? Why did I go to the kitchen first so I heard the gas leak? I believe the Lord was with us. His angels were watching over us, prompting me to change my normal daily habits. I don’t understand the “why” of it all but Garrett said it best, “Mom, I guess God has more for us to do.” Yes, son, he does.

“Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand, you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Your love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your hands.”           Psalm 138:6-8

I praise the Lord. By his grace, I live and have my being. May he fulfill his purposes through me and my children, now and forever.