Leonard was walking his usual route across town when he heard the alarm on his phone. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and saw the warning: Flash flood alert take cover. Flash flood? He looked up at the sky. He didn't see any ominous clouds. He thought the path he was on was pretty safe, so he continued walking. A few minutes later the winds began to pick up and the clouds began to darken. "This is crazy," he thought to himself. "Everything was just fine a few minutes ago."
As the sky turned dark, Leonard tried to assess the situation. He looked around searching for a different path. Within seconds Leonard could feel the rain pouring down. "I have to find higher ground," he thought to himself. Instinctively he began to run. As he ran, he knew he was in trouble. "Lord," he cried out, "Please help me!"
The rain and the wind became relentless. Confused, Leonard looked around and felt completely lost. He appeared to be all alone. He shook his head and screamed, "Lord, I need your help! Please help me!" He listened for an answer, but all he could hear was the storm around him. From out of nowhere a fallen tree limb crushed him to the ground. He felt the pain everywhere in his body. On his hands and knees he continued to search for safety. He wasn't sure if it was the pelting rain or the tears in his eyes that blurred his vision, but he could no longer recognize where he was. He couldn't hear the Lord, nor feel His Presence. Leonard felt completely defeated. His pain intensified.
Leonard made an attempt to stand. Failing, he fell flat on the ground. He stretched out his hand to pull himself forward. His hand miraculously felt a wooden beam. Leonard wrapped both hands around the wood as the wind blew stronger and stronger. Over and over he prayed for the Lord to keep him safe, to show him the way. Darkness was all around Leonard.
After a long time, the storm finally passed. Leonard used the beam to pull himself to an upright position. For the first time he looked up at the beam and noticed the crossbar. This was no ordinary beam of wood. Leonard had been clinging to the cross of the Lord. It was the safest place he could have been during his storm. This time his prayers and tears cried out, "Thank you."
-Susan
