As we were driving home in threatening weather, my
husband, Gene, turned on the radio for a local report. Funnel clouds had indeed
been spotted nearby. After arriving home, things grew strangely calm.
In a short while, the wind started to blow fiercely.
Trees were bent over and the very walls of the house began to flutter. Windows
rattled and hail beat on the car port.
"Get into the hall and close the doors," my husband
shouted. "Get pillows, blankets and a flashlight." "Nana, I'm scared," cried our
five-year-old grandson, William.
"Jesus will take care of us. Don't be afraid," I told
him. Suddenly sirens began to go off in our small town. The walls moved as
though they weren't anchored to anything. "If we're not in a tornado, we're
close," shouted Gene as he ran into the hall.
"Link arms and sit on the floor," I said.
"I love you," Gene said to us as he surrounded us with
blankets and pillows, covered us with his body and enveloped us with his arms.
A mighty rushing wind was all around us and sucked us
together into a ball. "Pray! Keep praying," he said.
"God Almighty, help us!" We screamed.
Explosion!
Windows shattered, glass flew everywhere. Another
explosion. The walls caved in. Debris shot everywhere like arrows toward their
target.
"Jesus, help us! You are our Savior! You are our
King!" My voice cried. I looked up-the roof was falling on us. A ladder crashed
down on my husband's back.
"Now start praising Him," Gene shouted through the
wind. The next blast was the worst. There was nothing we could do. Only He could
help us. Everything was out of control, but we knew the sovereignty of God. We
knew we were at the point of death but we shouted, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you,
Lord!"
Suddenly, peace filled me like a flood. A sweet voice
filled my heart, "I've heard your cry for help. I've bent the heavens for you.
No matter what happens around you, I'm here protecting you." Tears flooded my
face and I knew Jesus was protecting us. It seemed His arms had surrounded us. I
knew we would be safe.
The tornado was over. The rain beat down on us with a
force I had never felt before. We were safe. "Mama, I see the sky," little
William said.
"William, that's because the roof is gone. We probably
won't have any walls, either," Gene informed him. "I'm so thankful we're okay,"
our daughter Wendy cried. "Jesus protected us, didn't He?" Though buried under
tons of debris, our hair covered with insulation and glass, we were okay. Just a
few minor injuries.
Talk about walls of protection! Several people were
killed and many injured in that devastating tornado, but the everlasting arms of
the Lord protected the Mummert family. Gail was privileged to share her entire
story with The Dallas Morning News. The newspaper even printed her testimony
about the protection of the Lord.
Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets, p.84-86. 1996,
Gospel Light/Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by Permission.
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