The Storm Call of a Frog

The Lowcountry of South Carolina is journeying through Tropical Storm Debby. Predictions of high rainfall amounts, possible strong winds, and intense flooding have held the top news reports. Road closures, changes to operating hours for businesses, school closings, and other important information have been broadcast on radio, television, and social media. Along with concerns for people, there are worries about animals, too. How can you tell if a storm is coming? Have you listened to the storm call of a frog?

The first night the storm arrived in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, I heard the rain tapping the roof and windows. The wind moved the palm fronds. Branches of the crepe myrtles threw white, pink, and purple blossoms into the yard. Our garden flags danced and wrapped around the small poles. The hummingbird feeders swayed back and forth but never left their hook.

As the day ended and night began, Alan and I prepared for sleep. The rain sometimes lessened and provided a gentle sound for a perfect slumber. All was well until the thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and the frogs started calling. The sound of the frogs croaking made me think of a scary movie scene. I pulled the covers over my head in hopes of resting without interruption. I could sleep with lightning and thunder, but not a bunch of frogs calling.

I’m not sure how many minutes or hours passed while those frogs made loud and obnoxious sounds. There was no reason to turn on the porch light. That wouldn’t scare them. So, I closed my eyes and waited. Of course, my dear husband slept through the night with no problems.

Finally, sleep took over and I was able to tune out the frogs. When the morning light came, and Alan woke, I mentioned how the frogs had been too loud. His response was calm.

“What frogs? Were they loud? Where were they?” 

Precious husband. I didn’t give him a grouchy face, although I thought about it.

The frog in the photo above is not one of the noise makers. That little fellow was found on the sidewalk. I thought he was cute.

I considered the many creations and how each one is uniquely gifted by God. I’m not sure why the frogs were calling during the storm. There’s probably a scientific reason. I do know that God gave me more time to pray while I waited for the noise to cease. 

I may have been mad at being kept awake when I wanted to rest peacefully. Yet, when I think of the frogs calling, I wonder if they were alerting other animals to the impending storm. The likely reason for their noise was probably a mating call. Whatever the reason, I’m glad they quieted so I could sleep.

Do you have any funny frog experiences?

“He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.” (Job 5:10 NIV)

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

The Falling Toad

My morning routine includes opening my eyes and saying “Good morning God. Thank You for this glorious day and all Your blessings.” Before my feet touch the floor, I am thanking God.

Once I am dressed and ready for the day, I head for the front door. 

Opening the door, I view the beauty outside and feel the early morning temperature. Once again, I say, “Thank You God, for this glorious day and all Your blessings.”

This simple routine starts my day with comfort and peace.

On a recent morning, things took a different turn. Placing my hand on the doorknob and twisting to open, I heard a slight “thud”. The humidity sometimes causes the door to “stick” a little so I thought that was probably the reason for the odd sound.

No! As I opened the door, a gray toad fell from the top of the door into the foyer. 

My scream was probably loud enough to wake the neighbors. Luckily, no one came out to see what happened. Maybe my scream wasn’t as loud as I imagined.

There sat a gray toad in the foyer. 

“Alan, come quickly. There’s a toad in the house! Help! How do I get him out of here?”

Alan replied while sitting in his chair in the living room. “What did you say? A toad? Where? How did it get in the house?”

“No time to explain. Get him out before he starts hopping around.” I didn’t want to see that toad jump and hide behind furniture where we couldn’t find him. All sorts of scenarios played in my mind. 

Walking to the foyer without any speed or worry, my dear husband asked, “Where is it? Where’s the toad?” I explained that the toad was right there in front of him.

My superhero husband used a floor duster to scoot the little toad back outside. I think the fall must have stunned the toad. The toad sure stunned me.

My peaceful morning blessings were interrupted by a gray toad and laughter. Well, laughter once the toad was back outside.

I am not afraid of all creatures. I just don’t like when they interrupt my peaceful morning and try to come into the house.

Come to think of it, that toad probably thought I interrupted his quiet morning routine.

Silly toad. Stay outside. Please don’t linger on the front door. I am thankful it didn’t fall on my head. If that had happened, you would have heard me screaming all the way to your house, wherever you live.

This silly experience gave me time to pause and consider how easily I can be distracted from sharing time with God. What began as a peaceful morning giving praise to God, turned into a few moments of fright and frustration.

I’m glad the toad was put back outside and that I could continue saying, “Thank You God, for this glorious day and all Your blessings.”

Have a blessed day, and watch out for falling toads,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

Toad photo courtesy of Pixabay

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