11 Adar 5772; 05 March 2012; Columbus, Ohio

 

The weather channel on my iPhone convinced me that tonight I was going to be forced to walk through a raging, dangerous storm. The hour’s ride south on the #2 High St bus allowed me many opportunities to watch the raging red part of the storm move to exactly where and when I wanted to exit the bus at the JCC on College Avenue. I noted but ignored a curious black dot moving in the middle of the raging red; chalking it up as some sort of anomaly. My focus moved to prayer lifting up my fears and the situation as I considered options.

 

The routine plan was to transfer from the #2 High Street bus to the #1 Livingston Avenue bus at the Broad and High Streets stop. At midnight all buses hold at Broad and High street until all buses arrive so that no one misses a transfer for this last run of the night. Service would not resume until early morning. I had two choices. 1. Not transfer, staying dry on the #2 bus; but at the destination walk a little more than a mile or 2. At Broad & High transfer to the #1 bus, forcing me out into the rain waiting for the transfer, but then the walk was only two blocks to my apartment on the JCC. It all depended on the changing situation as revealed by the weather channel.

 

As I continued south on the High St bus, the broadside rain and wind were intense causing the bus to heel to the left like a boat with all sails set. The rain was hitting the window so hard that I could not see through it. When I could, I was shocked to see the right rear wheel pushing a wake onto the sidewalk. The curb was completely under water and the bus just kept plowing this “bow wake” like a boat. The unfortunate people getting off into this maelstrom were instantly soaked! As the bus approached Broad & High I made the decision to stay on the bus and walk the mile to the JCC. The raging red of the weather channel was getting no better! I sat on the still bus praying, while waiting to be released.

 

The run from High & Broad east on Main Street to Bexley was only 30 minutes. As the minutes ticked away the raging wind, rain, and lightening continued their dance while the bus continued to heel over to the left. Then I noticed about 6 stops before my stop at Main & College in Bexley that things were strangely letting up. The rain was stopping, the wind was dying down and it felt like the storm had passed. Confused, I looked at my iPhone and the red raging storm was still on top of us; but then the itty-bitty black spot caught my attention. I had to pinch the screen four times to magnify the view to realize what was happening. Prayer was being answered!

 

The black spot, a quiet place of no storm was moving directly into position over my stop. I exited the bus to a night clear of rain with stars visible; yet all around me in 365 degrees I could hear the storm raging; torrential rain, wind and lightening. Stepping around huge puddles and large downed tree branches, I “stepped lively” as we said in the Army, walking south on College Avenue; staying on the side of the street away from the power lines, expecting one to come down. My focus was on prayer, speed walking, longing to see home, Wexner Heritage Tower on the JCC. For 20 minutes I walked marveling at being completely dry while listening to lightening, rain and tree branches crashing down all around me. It literally sounded only a block away!

 

Now I am crossing Livingston Avenue and can see the tower. Still dry.

 

Now crossing the parking lot of the JCC. Still dry.

 

As I walk down the hill to The Tower, I can see my apartment on top, 806. I just keep praying, but the prayer shifts to prayers of thanksgiving.

How many people have I seen die in storms like this! For some reason my Elohim chooses to answer my prayer, as I see the entranceway of the Tower loom out of this night at 12:30 in the morning. I am not ashamed to say that the wet on my face was now not rain but tears of praise, thanksgiving and wonder.

 

Fifty feet from the door rain drops start hitting me—hard. I was literally counting off the feet remaining as the storm returned. Now inside and safe I am in shock at the ferocity of what I can see through the plate glass window. Now safe, I have to call JCC security and the fire department regarding the fire alarm that is sounding, caused I guess by the storm.

 

Praise YAH!

HE answers prayer!

Jeremiah 7: (Complete Jewish Bible)

23. Rather, what I did order them was this: ‘Pay attention to what I say. Then I will be your Elohim, and you will be my people. In everything, live according to the way that I order you, so that things will go well for you.’