Due to extremely dry conditions and high, gusty winds we are under a Red Flag Alert in our part of Texas today. I looked out our picture window as I was eating breakfast this morning, and the trees were indeed clapping their hands. With faint hope I asked my sweet husband if he wanted to do our usual bike ride, and he said, "Sure!". My hopes dashed, I got ready to go. I didn't want to rain on his parade, what with the wind and all.

I put on sweat pants, sweat shirt and my litte knitted cap for good measure, because although the thermometer said 55 degrees I had a sneaking suspicion it wouldn't feel all that warm (what with the wind and all). As we left the house I couldn't help but notice the trees were not only clapping their hands, they were fairly dancing!

By the time we arrived at the little park where we leave our car and unload our bikes, the trees were hanging on to the ground with their little roots for all their might. I could scarcely get the car door open! Never one to miss out on an adventure, my husband proceeded to take the bikes off the rack, put the water bottles in their holders and mount up (while I tried to remain upright). So off we went.

To say it was difficult to ride into the face of that wind is a huge understatement. There were times I practically came to a standstill! I kept muttering that this was absolutely ridiculous but continued on behind (way behind) my strong husband. There were moments when it wasn't bad at all - that would be when the wind was behind our backs and it felt as though a huge hand was propelling us along. Fortunately that was the case when we left our country road and turned onto the highway and up the biggest hill of our ride. It was amazing how easily we managed the hill. Coming down, however, was a different story. I had to pedal HARD going down-hill! Going in a straight line was a real challenge as the wind swept elegantly across the highway (elegant was not a word I would use to describe myself at this point). Add to that the eighteen-wheelers screaming by - and I was exhausted when we finally got to the bottom of the hill.

Somewhere along the way the lines from an old gospel song popped into my head. It is a song written by Joel Hemphill and part of it goes like this:
"I know the Master of the wind.
I know the Maker of the waves.
He can calm the storm, make the sun shine again.
I know the Master of the wind."

Yes, I thought, I know the One who controls this powerful force. And this wind, although powerful enough to make bike riding difficult is just a small demonstration of that power. I felt such a sense of peace, safety and protection. This Mighty God is my Father. He loves me and has promised to take care of me always. He will never leave me. I am His beloved child.

So let the wind and the storms come - "I know the Maker of the wind."

Blessings,