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| Al Floer, an Emerald Surf friend, took the pictures of Navarre Beach in this post. |
The photographs were chilling. Funnel clouds becoming water spouts so close to our favorite hideaway on Navarre Beach that it took my breath away.
Terry and I were not there. We were glad we were not there. What were those crazy people doing, standing down on the beach? Did they even consider how long it would take to run to shelter? If they could find shelter.
Since seeing these images, I’ve thought a lot about where I’d go if a tornado should come our way while we’re at the beach. Our condo is on the fifth floor—the top floor. We have floor to ceiling glass on the beachside. The walkways between condos are open air. The stairwells are only partially enclosed. And the bottom level is an open parking garage.
Where could we go?
My first choice would be inside the small office on the ground level. The second, an inside bathroom of some friendly resident on the first floor.
My first choice would be inside the small office on the ground level. The second, an inside bathroom of some friendly resident on the first floor.
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| Can you say water spout? |
To be honest none of those spots sound very comforting. I suppose if we were stuck in our own place, we’d hunker down in an inside bathroom. And pray. A lot. Probably really loud.
Theses images of people standing on the shore watching the funnel clouds dip down out of that massive cloud are stuck in my brain.
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| Do you see that child to the far lower left? |
WHAT WERE THOSE PARENTS THINKING?
Yet, I realize that sometimes, I have stood closer than that to an approaching catastrophe, mesmerized by the power of some scene.
I remind myself that I don’t need to criticize. Instead, I must stay alert, use sound judgment and listen for the voice of the One Who provides the very safest hiding place of all.
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
Ps. 17:8b
NKJV
NKJV
The storms of life will come in both the natural and the spiritual realms.
The questions are:
Will I have the discernment to recognize the danger?
The questions are:
Will I have the discernment to recognize the danger?
Where will I take refuge?
What about you?
Where do you take refuge?
Where do you take refuge?
Is He your hiding place?
“If you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of any trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
if you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!”
Ps. 91:14-15
The Message
Copyright © Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge 2016. All rights reserved
I'd be running to safety if I saw that. Looks too much like a tornado to me.
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You got that right! I'd be right there with you.
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I wondered the same thing, Dorothy. The answer—YES, they are!!!
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Are they fearless or are they foolhardy!?! I'd be miles away from this place!
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I think foolhardy. I'm still shaking my head over it. Thanks for reading!
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Fortunately, it didn't come their way. Thanks for reading.
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We saw funnel clouds turning into water spouts at dusk one evening from a restaurant on Navarre Beach. There was lightning too…and it was creating sparks as it struck the water. God's display of power over wind and water was immense, and we weren't afraid. It was eerie, but we experienced such peace. It was an amazing adventure.
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Scary clouds. With them hanging around, I's not enjoy the sand!
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Me neither, Freeda. For one thing I've been too close for comfort to lightning on the beach. When weather blows in, it's time to go inside.
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Great shots!They look like paintings!! Can I paint that, I wonder! Can I try this, if you don't mind? Thanks!
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Those are very scary clouds. If I were you, I'd leave the beach at once, am so terrified of them.
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That would be great. Be sure and show me your final piece.
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We weren't there, but I had the same thought.
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Which restaurant? I'm glad you got to see it and weren't afraid. Was that recently? These pictures are a couple of weeks or more old.
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Wow that looks spectacular and scary at the same time. It's only the situation arise will we know what we will do… but no matter what we should always be prepared.
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We have to consider tornadoes where we live and I knew they occur where these pictures were taken, so I have thought through what to do. There aren't a lot of great options at the beach. But taking cover somewhere only makes sense. Thanks for reading!
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We have to consider tornadoes where we live and I knew they occur where these pictures were taken, so I have thought through what to do. There aren't a lot of great options at the beach. But taking cover somewhere only makes sense. Thanks for reading!
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