The Day it Rained Toads

 Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 3

         It was reported by the Associated Press that on July 5, 1997, around 11 PM the town of Villa Angel Flores, Mexico was struck by a small tornado. As the twister passed over a pond just outside of town, it picked up a cluster of toads. Then, as it traveled over the town, it rained down toads, which were reported to be striking cars driving the streets that night. It is not reported how many toads survived and how many died.

              If a toad has rational thoughts, a proposition that is likely false, what do you think they thought? If they were thinking thoughts as they were swept up like Elijah into the whirlwind and then, unlike Elijah, unceremoniously dumped headlong, crashing into the windshield of a 76 Ford F150, some might have believed they were being abducted by aliens from outer space. Those that survived would have written best-selling books about their near-croaking experience. A few might have made the rounds of afternoon talk shows. Then, those that were more spiritual (although I doubt the spirituality of amphibians) would not have concerned themselves with the “whys” and been content to rest in Providence.

              I don’t believe in fate or chance. I believe in a God who holds everything in his hands. These past few months we might feel like frogs in a whirlwind with everything that has happened to us and around us. It is perfectly rational and reasonable to try to make some sense of things, to try to figure out what is happening. But in the end, we must rest and trust in our God who rules and reigns.