by Dona Hake
I am reflecting on a very precious account of an elementary school teacher, and how she kept her small children calm during a deadly tornado in May of 2013. This story is so precious to me because the hearts and minds of little ones touch me in a very special way. I teach small children in church, and I love the many times that they have innocently and honestly shared their little hearts with me. Sometimes they may share their fears, sometimes it may be bad memories, and sometimes what they share is simply hilarious. The thing that stands out to me is their hearts being open, trusting and honest. My heart only wonders what it would be like to be with a group of small children, and having to calm them during an approaching deadly tornado. I would like to recall the story of this teacher, and how God helped her get her small classroom through such an event.
During the memorial service held in Moore, OK in May of 2013 Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma quoted excerpts from this portion of scripture…
Psalm 46:1-3 ”
God is our protection and source of strength. He is always ready
to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and
the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough
and dark and the mountains tremble.”
to help us in times of trouble. So we are not afraid when the earth quakes and
the mountains fall into the sea. We are not afraid when the seas become rough
and dark and the mountains tremble.”
After the tornado killed 26 and injured hundreds, the town of Moore gathered to remember those
that lost their lives and look to God and each other for strength to go on.During the service an elementary school teacher shared about how she handled her classroom of small children as the deadly tornado approached. She exclaimed how she did not want her children to be frightened
so she asked them if they wanted to play a game with her. She told them to move their desks against the wall and get under them. As they huddled they began to sing songs and after a few songs one little one asked to sing “Jesus Loves Me.”
As the tornado hit they were singing this song and the louder the
tornado got the louder they sang.
tornado got the louder they sang.
Even though the whole ordeal was a frightening one for this teacher and children, they lived to testify that they made it through the storm. During the memorial service these same children stood and sang “Jesus Loves Me” and received two standing ovations -once on their way in and again after they finished singing.
During the service the Rabbi Veder Harris read from the book of Kings, noting that God was not in the storm but is in the “still, clear voice within us.” I believe that even in the “storms” of this life if we stay still in our spirits and our faith strong in Him we can still hear His voice and proclaim His love for us. When we know we are hearing His voice we can always be assured that He is with us and He will bring us through.
I was so touched just trying to imagine little children in such a horrific situation huddled under desks singing at the top of their little lungs “Jesus Loves Me.” I began to think about when the storms of life come our way that this is what our reaction should be. Do our spirits hold fast to knowing and embracing that Jesus loves us as the storms of our life get louder and louder or do we allow the storm to overtake us because of doubt and unbelief?
I encourage you today to ponder the love of God that came through Him giving His Son. His love is great and He is greatly to be praised. Don’t forget, Jesus loves us, this we know, for the Bible tells us so!!!!