I love a good storm. That is as long as it’s a safe storm. I love the way the sky darkens to a stunning grayish dark blue and how it creeps across the horizon. I love how the clouds bounce and swerve making their way across the sky. I love when the thunder booms so loud it echoes not only in my ears but in my whole body. I love the way lightning can startle me and make me jump. I love the way the trees bend and sway; almost bowing to their Creator. I love when the wind just appears out of know where and catches me by surprise. I love how the wind messes up my hair and can bring tears to my eyes and how it sometimes even takes the breath away from my little children. It has mighty power. I love the beautiful music of the raindrops as they tap on the skylights of my kitchen. I love how a good storm makes me cling a little tighter to my sweet husband and hold my precious children a little closer to myself. A good storm displays the power, grandeur and wonder of God within the beauty of nature that He himself created. I love that God is in control of the storm.
I do NOT love when a storm of life comes my way and I’m walking through dark clouds all around me. Do I remember and recognize that God is in control? Or do I try to take control? Do I find refuge and rest in Him alone? Or do I seek out other means and methods to console my fear?
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” Matthew 8:23-27
Wow, to this day, that scripture continues to amaze me! Even though I’m a child of God, a perfect life and safety have not been guaranteed for me. But what has been promised is that God’s will and plan for my life and your life are perfect!
“Safe? Of course He isn’t safe. But He’s good.” Spoken by Mr. Beaver in C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
This is who our faithful God is:
Our Rock
Our Fortress
Our Stronghold
Our Refuge
Our Deliverer
Our Rescuer
Our Portion
Our Comforter
Our Delight
Our Strength
Our Sustainer
Our Provider
Just to name a few…(Psalm 18:2)
I’m praying that you and I would live our lives trusting in God regardless of what storms we find ourselves in. For He is truly safe and trustworthy! Be blessed my friends as you seek His face!
Joyfully,
Ashley
Thanks for sharing Ashley! This was great.
ReplyDeleteAshley, well I started your challenge August 28. I don't know if you know but my dad was diagnosed with leukemia July 2010 and told that he had 2 weeks to live . . . that was 2 years ago! Several week ago we found out that the cancer has spread to his brain. Once again, we're being told that he has weeks to live. Chemotherapy has been stopped and we've begun hospice at home.
ReplyDeleteI'm a nurse and it's been hard for me to separate being a nurse from being a daughter. My mom is having a really hard time accepting where we are with daddy--we all are. As he's gotten "sicker" I've become more forceful in what I think needs to be done--very black and white--very "medical." I've divorced myself from the emotions and from the feelings . . . coming across probably as very hard. And I've felt a distance growing between my mom and I--a barrier or wall.
When I read I Corinthians 13:1 today, the Lord really spoke to me. I can have all this "knowledge" and say all the right words, but if I don't say it with love and in love and regard for the hear-er it's a noisy, clangy, irritating, hurtful gong and cymbal. That's what my words have been to my mom. She doesn't need her expert-opinion nurse; she needs her daughter.
I shared this with her tonight at dinner. I told her how sorry I was and asked her forgiveness. She told me that she felt like I was in a hurry for daddy to die . . . thank You, Jesus, for speaking to my heart.
I'm going to be a daughter for a while . . . going to love on my momma and my daddy.