Get Down

A serious tornado, or rather several tornadoes hit the Arlington, Texas area where I am spending a great holiday with family. The storm came unexpectedly, as they sometimes do, and like many people we were caught out. As a family we were spread out between work, school, and a restaurant, with no safe way for any of us to get to be with the others. It was not wise to move, and the radio and TV were making announcements about the severity of the tornadoes (some of which had already touched down), while sirens screeched all around the district. There was no way you could miss the message. This was a life threatening situation.

Eventually, and slowly, we got to the school where our two (grand)children were safely located in the sanctuary (very apt, I thought) along with all the other kids and teachers, and found that all the necessary precautions had been taken to ensure their safety, first and foremost. Then just when we thought the storms had passed, the head teacher yelled ‘Get Down’! The 150+ people in the hall needed no second telling, and we all got down into the brace position, under chairs, and stayed there until the all clear was given. The whole situation was managed professionally, and with authority, and for that I was thankful.

It is what happened while we were all down, that struck me. There was no announcement to this effect, but all around me the sound of whispered prayers was evident. Children aged 5 to 15, and teachers were thanking God for their safety, and asking for continued protection. It was not an organised prayer meeting. It was not a group of same class students, or teachers trying to orchestrate something. It was spontaneous, and from the hearts of those who prayed. No one said afterwards, you know that was not necessary, or out of order either. This was an example of faith in action from the youngest to the oldest. There were also kids who put their arm round another next to them, and assured them in prayer that it would be ok, because God was in control.

When we drove away from the school soon after, I was left with the overwhelming feeling that here was a group who did not know everyone else, but had a common faith which allowed unashamed prayer. The news reports later that evening were full of people, standing in the rubble of their homes, but having prayed, were thankful to God for their lives. In the UK, sadly, the very thought of open prayer, especially in schools, and the media, is thought to be unnecessary, reported as funny, and out of place. In this oasis of faith in Texas, it is normal, accepted, open, and real. I trust and pray it stays that way, because when it is lost or given away, it is almost impossible to get back.