You Okay In There?

“Is everyone okay in there?” the officer asked as he stood at my front door Monday evening. He had good reason to ask since a huge oak tree had fallen on our house, sprawled across our roof.

Earlier that day, a strong but fast-moving storm had burst through our area, leaving trees and debris in its wake. After the storm had subsided, I had gone to the curb to pick up my garbage cans and debris that the wind had tossed around. My neighbor had a tree down and I had gone over to see. We stood in the aftermath, amazed at how lucky he’d been that his tree lay across his front yard, not striking the house. 

It was in that moment that we heard three distinct snapping sounds coming from my yard. We all watched in shock as that stately old oak fell, as if in slow motion, upon the roof of my house. It had weathered the storm outwardly, but below the ground its integrity had obviously been compromised. It was just a matter of time, I guess. 

I ran to my house in two seconds flat, and found everyone safe and secure. But my mighty sentinel was lying on its side. I just stared at it for a while, and finally went back inside. 

An hour later it was dusk, and the knock from the officer came on my front door. “I was driving by and saw that massive tree and thought I’d better check it out,” he said.

“Thanks, we’re all okay, we still have power, and clearly a lot of roof damage outside and some inside, as well, but everyone is safe. Just trying to figure out our next steps, which will obviously have to wait til morning.” 

“Sorry about the tree, but glad to hear everyone is safe. Hey, you’re Rusty, aren’t you?” I nodded. “You prayed for me and my kids at church a while back when my wife was in the hospital with a serious medical episode."

I smiled stupidly, as it took a minute to register. I was out of context and hadn’t seen him since. “Oh yes, I remember, your name was TJ, right? I didn’t know you were a police officer; those were some tough days for you, huh?” Our conversation was warm and heartfelt. “Yep, that’s for sure,” he answered.

That unexpected connection felt like God to me. I’ve never doubted His care or provision, but my brain was spinning. Amazing how the first responder on the scene relayed how God had met him through a prayer we had shared together, something I do every day. Incredible! That landed deep within. It was like a wink from the Father. A recognition that in the best and hardest of times, it’s wisdom to trust it all to the heart of a loving Father. That’s framing the whole experience for me. It’s yet another opportunity to look for Him rather than look to me.

Before I knew it, a flood of fire and emergency vehicles showed up with sirens and lights. We were the talk of the neighborhood. After all the precautionary inspections were made and it was clear no danger was imminent, we laughed, joked, and made introductions. The mood was light as we all stood around staring at the problem. When it was clear that there was nothing more to do, we exchanged information, shook hands and went our separate ways for the night. It seemed almost peaceful. I felt totally different after that knock at my door than I had beforehand, when I’d heard three loud cracks and watched a 120-year-old-plus oak tree topple onto our house.

This isn’t a new lesson for me. I’ve passed it along to others over the years. You don’t really know what’s growing inside until you are tested. When the power of the storm upends things firmly planted in your world, it is a test to our root system. Therefore we should expect to be tested and challenged with difficulties. In fact, Peter said, “…these come to prove the genuineness of your faith— which is of greater worth than gold, so that it will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Let me be clear, there are weightier things than a huge tree on the roof, but it’s an opportunity to test my growth rings, and for that I’m grateful. I’m also grateful that while everyone was home, no one was upstairs when the tree broke through Makayla’s bedroom ceiling. I’m grateful that much of the tree landed squarely on a chimney, balancing the weight and preventing more damage. I’m grateful that while it landed largely on the garage, no damage was done to our cars parked inside. I’m grateful for the kindness of friends extending help in a myriad of ways. It could have been so much worse.

The next morning, I examined more closely the upturned root ball. Though this had been the largest oak on our property, with strong healthy branches giving shade to nearly the entire yard, I found something odd at its base. The main taproot seemed to be diseased and had snapped. There had been no indication of sickness outwardly, the leaves were lush, the canopy wide, the trunk was sound. Yet there were weakened roots within, hidden. 

I’m sure there will be additional challenges along the way, but I welcome the opportunity to test my root system. I love that the Father offered a perspective directly from the lips of TJ, the first responding officer. Only He can make such random things so wonderfully specific. How are you weathering your storms? Got any weakness inside?

This is the ministry and financial platform for the assignments God is setting before us. We anticipate that this will give us a broadening scope of ministry in the city and around the world. Rus is involved at Northstar as an elder and presides over prayer ministries, and also serves around the city as a pastor, elder, and leader in the movement of prayer.