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By Ariane Williams

Are you living in the midst of a “flash flood warning?” A warning is an event that indicates a possible impending danger or living in an unpleasant situation. A flood is an overflowing of a large amount of water especially over what is normally dry land. What we thought was going to be a simple drive to see my mom turned into us experiencing a flash flood warning. We knew it was going to be a difficult ride as the wind was blowing and the clouds were dark as coal. We completed a brief visit and then we headed back. Flash flood warning in effect.

As we started to drive, the wind was picking up, and the rain was falling. We could hardly see the road in front of us. My husband asked for everyone in the car to be quiet as he navigated through the backroads, trying to make it to the main road. There were times that we thought we were going to get stuck in the dark, brown flooded water. We could not turn around as the roads behind us were flooded completely. We made it to the main road. The regular conversations began to surface in the car. Looking at the radar, we realized that we were in the middle of a large storm. We continued to move forward. We asked our children if they were afraid, but they said, “no.” They only knew that they were safe because they trusted us with the process to get them home safely. They knew no danger, but we as parents saw the danger. A spiritual shift.

We made it home safely, but my husband was still shaky from the drive. We then knew that it was not just a physical storm that we were driving through at the time, but it was a spiritual storm. God was trying to get our attention. The storm was over us; God was pushing us through it. We found out that there were confirmed tornadoes in the areas that we drove through. It was at that time that I began to examine the areas within my life, not realizing that there were many areas under warning that needed attention. We must begin to develop a plan in God to address those flooded areas within our lives. We do not want to drown in the process of trying to get to the “main road.” The main road is the Word of God.

Sometimes, we can feel those flooded areas in our lives and in our spirit. Sometimes, God will take us through the flooded waters so that we can appreciate what we have on the dry land. At that time, my husband’s position was to lead, and his task was to make sure that we got home safely. The reason why our children did not know that they were in danger is because they do not always see what we see. There are times that we do not always see what God sees. God can guide us all through the flooded waters so that we can see the sacrifice. There were times that my husband had to push the pedal harder. There are times in life that we will have to push the pedal harder to get through the water. Even when you get through the water, you must stay alert.

We forget that situations will surface in our lives that cause us to experience a flash flood warning. You will experience the downpours and tornadoes of life, but you will make it home if you trust the process. One of the things that I noticed along the journey was the hazard lights from the cars in front of us. The lights were in unity as guides so that we could see what was in front of us “physically.” The cars in front of us showed us the way. God will send people your way to show you the way when you cannot see. You must be willing to accept the downpour. Flash flood alert over. Get out of the car and begin building on your new land. Marked safe.

Ariane Williams is a teacher, minister, published author and liturgical dancer. Email her at arianewilliams810@yahoo.com.