Through the Storm
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. Matthew 8:23-26
It is now 1:47am on September 29, 2022. The wind is really howling, and the rain is pouring down. Hurricane Ian is now knocking at my door, and I can easily hear him as I slip out of my warm bed and peek through the window to see the sheets of rain falling and the swaying of the trees. As the forecasters had predicted through the week, we are in the midst of it all from the Gulf of Mexico and now the center of Florida where I am living.
The winds are over 57 miles per hour. It is dark and I’m hearing the winds hitting the front double doors of my house and it’s very eerie. I can’t imagine what all the animals are doing with the constant wind howling and blowing. Where do they all go? Earlier in the day, the little birds were flying in and out of my trees, the ducks on the pond in the back of the house didn't seem to care what was coming their way. Where did they go as the storm approached? Who told them to hunker down? I saw the squirrels running just before it became dark, scamping up the tree trunk. What must they be thinking? Are they all soaked with the heavy rains blowing while I am cozy in my bed? They must be braver than I am.
This is where my mind is at this moment as I continue to hear the rain beating at the windows and the wind whipping around the trees and through the shrubs. Yet God has all of this in His hands and knows the outcome even before the morning light comes.
I’m silently praying that we will all be fine, especially our first responders (including my grandson) out in the middle of it all. We will find our way back whether we experience damage, loss of property and even life. When you’re in the mist of terror whether it is this storm or our own personal storms, I am truly blessed to know that I am covered and protected with His Grace and Mercy. And yes, I am a little afraid of what I am experiencing at this time of night, but I know whatever the outcome, I am covered, just like the little birds, squirrels and the sweet ducks…yes, He can be found in the midst of the storms.
Heavenly Father, I hear the winds whirling around me and am feeling a little concerned about what the storm could bring. But I am also secure in that whatever the outcome, You are watching over each of us and protecting us in Your love. AMEN.