The Sweetest Storm

As the thunder in the distant grew louder, I could feel the air sizzle with electricity.
It would only be a matter of time, I knew.
Soon the pelting rain on my window turned to small hail, making the storm sound more ferocious than a tempest with a mind of its own.
Yes, only a matter of time.

Over the sound of the deluge, I heard another familiar noise; the one I had been waiting for.  The pitter patter of feet, once so small, running to the safety of our giant bed.  No words were needed.  He knew.  I knew.
Comfort in the storm.  Isn't that what we all desire?

He gripped my hand and I squeezed a mother's assurance that all was safe. My momma-heart hurt as I felt his warm toes touch my ankle.   I remember when those toes used to curl into the curve of my arm.
I've learned to savor these moments.
Moments that at one time might have been an annoyance, are now a treasure that the ebbing of time will steal from me before I'm ready.

As the torrent raged, he slept.  Sleep eluded me.
Jumbled thoughts of motherhood filled my soul.

In the storm-drenched quiet, I began to pray for my son.  But he wasn't the only one who filled my thoughts.  No.  It was someone else.
His one-day-wife.  My daughter-in-law.
I prayed for her.  It's such a privilege, really.

What if she doesn't have a momma to hold her through a storm?  Oh Jesus, hold her through the storms of life.
What if no one else is praying for her?  Lord, I'm overwhelmed.  
Guide her.
Save her.
Protect her.
Love her.
Prepare her.

The sweetest time of prayer for my future family.
My future family.
I smiled at the thought of what that will look like.  I prayed for my children's future spouses as though I already knew them.  I prayed for my role as a mother-in-law.  That's such a hard role to fill, isn't it?

The storm raged but my heart filled with the sweetness of holding my ever-growing child and knowing that my heavenly Father holds our futures.