The Iron Dome

 

 

They call it the Iron Dome. Supposedly technology that can intercept and destroy rockets that are headed for populated areas. It was created in 2011 and while 90% of rockets never do the damage they were meant to, the system is not 100% bullet proof.

You may be thinking "So what? I didn't ask for a history lesson."

 

 

It was 9:30pm (2:30 back home) , and I was tired. It had been a good long day and tomorrow would be here before too long. I had been waiting all evening for the sun to go down so I could crawl in bed. And I knew the traffic noises, from down on the street would soon lull me to sleep.

 

Traffic down on the street started to dwindle, and the night was peaceful...and normal. I was in that in between state of sleep. Not fully awake but not quite sleeping either. DeLora had just turned the light out. And then a siren went. I layed still for a little bit waiting for the siren to fade into the distance as the 'ambulance' drove down the street. And then I jolted awake. Wide awake! This wasn't your normal siren. No this was the Air Raid siren.

DeLora and I looked at each other. What are we supposed to do?!

Wayne and Marie came into the Living Room and confirmed what was already going through our heads. Wayne had got an alert on his phone. Rockets were being shot from Gaza and were headed our way. Not knowing what to do, we stood and watched out the window. The siren blared for what felt like forever. Although it was probably only 5 minutes. After the siren stopped was when we the real excitement started. In the dark, quiet of the night we saw the Iron Dome in action. We silently watched as one rocket after another was intercepted, and a boom was heard as it exploded mid air.

Public bomb shelters were opened in Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. We saw 10+ rockets intercepted over what was probably Tel Aviv. This morning in the news it said two rockets had landed outside of Jerusalem. Thankfully that's as close as it got.

But watching the rockets last night really brought all the unrest close to home. First it was the 3 Jewish teens that had been kidnapped and murdered. Then the Palestinian teen was murdered in what's been called a revenge killing. Their have been riots every since Friday when the funeral for the Palestinian took place. And Monday over 100 rockets were launched from Gaza but never got close to Jerusalem...at least not close enough to put off the siren. And then last night were more rockets.

"So this is what 'unrest' in the Middle East is like." I thought to myself as we watched out the window. After it stopped DeLora looked at me and said, "I've never been in the middle of a war zone!!!"

I stood there last night confidently, and at peace as I watched. What I was watching was totally and fully out of my control...but not out of His. And I felt safe. I felt safer then I have at home sometimes. Why? Because nothing has ever taken Him by surprise...and nothing ever will. And because the safest place to be is in the center of His will.

Life continues to go on. And life is a gift. And it's also exciting...if your living in Jerusalem.