Lexi's Made-up Word

The storm last night was a big one!  Power went out, thunder shook the windowpanes and the lightning seemed to light up the whole world every few seconds.  My youngest is VERY frightened by severe weather.  (I’ve even written about her fear before.)  So, of course, she came down the stairs after the first few booms of thunder.  I could feel her little heart beating fast as she watched the lighting and listened to wind-tossed raindrops and leaves hitting the windows. 

She begged to sleep with us (which is the only way she was likely to actually get some sleep).  But, it’s a tad crammed in our queen-sized bed with her in there, so Bill elected to go to the guest bed.  

I got the job of comforting the storm-fearing six year old.  

I try to keep it light and fun whenever a storm rolls in.  I’m not all that scared of storms, so it’s easy for me to exude calm and normalcy even in the midst of a power outage and thunder symphony. 

At one point, when we were snuggling into the covers, I held Lexi’s hand as a deafening boom seemed to shake the house.  As softer thunder-shouts echoed in the distance, I said in a lighthearted voice,

“I sometimes like the sound of thunder, because it makes me think about God.” 

To my surprise, Alexis answered in a confident voice of agreement.

“Yeah, like it reminds us of His strengthfulness.”

That’s right, she said STRENGTHFULNESS. 

Never heard that word?  Neither has spell-check on my computer.

Here's what I love: Lexi’s made up word.  I didn’t even correct her.

She said it with such sincerity and such childlike faith.

I pray that we will all be reminded of God’s "strengthfulness".

As flashes of lightning lit up the room and Alexis dozed off to sleep, I played that word over in my mind.

It’s rather a combination of strength and faithfulness isn’t it?

God isn’t just full of strength, He is full of faithfulness.  His strength surrounds us with a faithful love.  I think “strengthfulness” is huge and dangerous (like thunder and lightning), but it is evokes security and peace for God’s children.

As my eyes fluttered closed beneath my covers, I took a deep breath, inhaling God’s promise of His presence.  With each rumble of thunder, I was reminded of His strengthfulness.

Psalm 29:1-4

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name;

Worship the Lord in holy array.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

The God of glory thunders,

The Lord is over many waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful,

The voice of the Lord is majestic.

Psalm 29:11
 

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 28:7
 

The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.