Once, as a child, we were dead center (or so it seemed) of a really severe electrical storm; with sounds so loud
affect was a bit more like explosions on our nerves. Though, thankfully, all family was home; family couldn't even have kept us safe. We gathered around kitchen table, praying first then trying to find ways to entertain each other so as to distract from all noise. And, of course, everything within house had been turned off and unplugged, except kitchen light and a radio; as it was just that bad a storm. Then finally, mom got up, went over by sink, and unplugged radio, too; as lightning was too close to take chance of leaving it on. Perhaps that was our clue, lighting was near to striking.
Then, with every boom, there was a moment of silence; listening to determine if a tree would be falling on house or whatever else might happen next. And, no matter how we tried to ignore all that noise, we couldn't help but jump when sound seemed like a megaphone blaring in our little kitchen.
None-the-less, when lightning finally did strike our house, thunder must have been as loud as if we were sitting in very cloud that had made all that noise. There wasn't anyone left but what was at a nervous jitter and, of course, baby cried.
Then came what one might have thought to be most important moment of silence ... listening ... listening ... l i s t e n i n g. But, nothing horrible happened. We heard it. We saw it. The lightning went right by our heads, but nothing. Where did it go?
We were immediately hushed as Dad left table to research what damage lightning might have caused. Only by now, silence was that we dare not make another sound until verdict had been determined. Though it was a bit difficult, we knew this was potentially serious and we children managed to continue shaking quietly.
But still, it was a bit of a mystery as all there was, just past kitchen, was a small utility area; a furnace, a hot water heater, a washer and a dryer ... and all appeared to be in working order. So, dad scanned room further. There was some metal shelving with a few things on shelf, a metal tool box (not hot) with all tools appearing to be in tact, and an ironing board and iron ... and iron hadn't even been plugged in. That's about all that was in room, unless you want to count dad's work shoes. So, what, now?
I'm pretty sure, by this time, dad was calling upon some Heavenly discernment, as he decided to scan room one last time. He scanned floor, curtain rod, ceiling light, switch plates. "What could he be missing?" "The walls, maybe it went through wall. Look for a hole or something in wall."
He looked and looked, then ... there, he saw it; electrical box. Oh, my! Just barely a few feet from where we were sitting, lightning had come through house and stuck electrical box. On outside cover of box, one of four screws had been burned out; which was barely an inch from electrical power.
Next, dad tested box itself, to be certain it wasn't hot or having electrical current running through metal cover. Then, once he concluded it might be safe to open, he did and it was determined that all electrical wiring remained in tact. Shew! That was it? Lightning only hit one little screw? Now, what are odds of that?
Though storm didn't stop right away, parents reasoned that, for God to protect us from something as close as that, we could be assured we'd be safe through rest of this storm. Then, mom turned radio back on and left us children option to leave table, whenever we felt comfortable to do so.
While having never been amidst such an extreme electrical storm since, God already knew this early experience would prove beneficial to me as an adult.
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As it happened, for twenty years, we lived in a small rural community surrounded by miles and miles of farming flatland. And, as we were located, it was quite common for our house to be slammed with 50 mph winds and sometimes greater; whether those winds included rain, snow, hail, ice, blizzard, or debris. And though older windows had been storm window covered, glazed, caulked, stuffed, drapery and blind covered, and once even blanket covered to slow down effect, it would sound as if every next slam against house would be one that caused windows to pop out or break.
