Taking Shelter on Belle Isle

    In last week’s article, “Out and About,” I mentioned the great weather this summer which was making possible some nice outings. However, I forgot to say that Michigan weather is unpredictable. Hard for us California natives to get used to! The reason why people’s lawns are still green in August is that about once a week the sky opens up and pours down rain!

   Even though the weather forecast had shown possible thunderstorms on the day of a bike ride around Belle Isle, an island in the middle of the Detroit River, the leader of our group decided to meet anyway and then determine whether or not to go ahead with the ride.  Al and I arrived on the island early enough to visit the Nature Center and Anna Scripps Conservatory there.

   The Nature Center had several good displays of frogs, salamanders and turtles native to Michigan with the added feature of air-conditioning to offset the muggy weather outside. However, the elaborate greenhouse at the Conservatory was quite hot and humid—perfect for orchids but stifling for visitors. It would be a great place to visit in the winter!

    By the time we finished sight-seeing, our leader had arrived and people from the bike group were starting to congregate. Most of the conversation had to do with the weather, debating when it would begin raining. Despite the threatening sky we got on our bikes at the designated time and started out in a single file line behind leader Myron.

    After only a few minutes of riding, rain began blowing in our faces and the alarming sound of thunder was heard in the distance. Myron made the decision to turn in at the nearby Nature Center.  We parked our bikes close together, eight in all, under the shelter of the entryway and huddled there until the storm passed by.  Unfortunately the building had just closed, so we weren’t able to go inside.

   It turned into a very spectacular show, with lightning, loud claps of thunder and a great downpour of rain. One big gust of wind knocked over a row of portable outhouses, a large trash can and several of our bikes!  No one was hurt thankfully, just startled. We were also wet and chilled by the sudden drop in temperature. The road and adjacent lots were quickly getting flooded, making the prospect of riding our bikes seem more risky than ever.   

   One person wanted to race back to her car, thinking she could provide a shuttle for the rest of the group; however, a streak of lightning touching down to earth, immediately followed by a loud thunder clap quickly cancelled that idea! We ended up waiting more than an hour, telling stories and getting to know each other better.

   Finally when it appeared as though the sky was clearing up, Myron thought it safe enough to start back on a road that cut through the middle of the island, making it faster to reach the cars. In a rush of adrenalin, the “slow roll” group picked up its speed; and in a few minutes we were at the parking lot.

   Finding shelter under the roof of the Nature Center reminds me of the many references in the Bible to God as our place of refuge. King David knew this well and spoke often of finding refuge in Him, as in Psalm 34:8:   “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

   Dear Father, thank you for always being present and for your protection in the midst of life’s storms. Please help us not to panic during times of crisis, but rather to turn to you for help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

   “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 NIV

   “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28 NIV