I was abruptly awakened from a deep sleep at about two this morning. Thunder was bombarding us as the sky was dancing with lightning. I checked all the windows to be sure no rain was pouring into the house, I crawled back under the sheet, and I felt a tentative wet nose on my arm.
My nine-month-old puppy was shaking with fear. After a few soft words, a big hug, and several reassuring pats, he laid down beside the bed knowing I would protect him.
A storm recently hit our family. My nephew was injured in a helicopter crash while serving in the army overseas. Have you had a storm in your life lately—a work layoff, a lost friendship, an accident, a serious illness. It seems that the storms in life come when we least expect them. We are caught off guard, unprepared.
An old church camp chorus has the line, “With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm and drive the clouds away.” Last night as I comforted my dog, I thought about how I rely on God to give me peace in even the toughest situations.
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:23b-26
How are you weathering your current storm?