Seeking Shelter from the Storm

Luke 8:24
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we are going to drown!"  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

"Time to hit the bunker!"  Danny shouts as we scramble for flashlights and purses, and head for the basement of our house.  The storm is upon us!  Barreling down the stairs, we hear a roar of wind and a deafening crash beside our home.  The earth shudders.

What fell???  Large limbs?  An entire tree?

Darkness!  The power is out!  Flashlights provide comforting beams, helping us to find the battery-powered lantern which we keep our laundry room, our underground safe-place when the southern spring storms hit.

We hunker down.  We can hear the rain pummeling the windows and roof.  Lightning flashes and thunder booms like a hundred cannons.  But, the wind has already passed by, flying on to wreak havoc upon our neighbors.  To leave a tell-tale trail of debris in its wake.

Thankfully, the lights flicker back on.  We breathe a sigh of relief, but are left wondering about the damages inflicted upon our forest.  There isn't much we can properly assess as it is growing darker and the rain continues to pour.

In sharp contrast to the night before, the next day dawns sunny and clear.  I take my camera out into our yard to capture images the war zone.

Our deck is one heck of a mess!

Look at all these leaves smothering the moss.

The wind ripped through our tulip poplar, scattering limbs like matchsticks.

But, it's this poor pine tree which suffered the most . . .

And, looking at all this damage, I say a prayer of thanks that we and our home were spared from harm.

Travelling  along this journey called life, we are guaranteed to go through any number of storms.  As Pastor Wallace is fond of telling us, "Sometimes, God reaches down and calms the storms in my life; other times, He says, 'Wallace, this is a good storm.  Let's ride it out together.'"

We are reminded here that no matter what storms we face, Jesus is always there with us.  He is the shelter we seek.  The safe harbor.  The hand holding ours.

We are never alone in our trials and troubles.  If we trust in the Lord, allow Him to carry us, those threatening, raging storms will eventually subside, and all will be calm.

~

Are you facing a "storm" in your life today?

Will you pray with me?

We thank You, Father, for walking with us through the storms of life.  You give us hope and courage and strength when we can find none in ourselves.  When we trust You, we can know that nothing which happens to us on earth will ever separate us from Your great love.  Amen.