BIBLICAL HOMES

While retrieving limbs from a nasty storm and a near miss from a tornado.  I reflected about literal and figurative storms and how similar in nature they really are.

I have been through both and will go through more, if the Lord allows me to live. It is not a matter of whether a storm, literal or figurative will hit, but a matter of when and how bad.

“And when he was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves, but He was asleep.  And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him saying, Lord, save us, we perish.  And He saith unto them. Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”   Matthew 8:23:26

“And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship so that it was now full.  And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awoke Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?  And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And He said unto them.  Why are ye so fearful?  how is it that ye have no faith?”      Mark 4:37-40

“But as they sailed He fell asleep:  and there came down a storm of wind on the lake, and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to Him, and awoke Him saying, Master, Master, we perish.  Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water and they ceased, and there was a calm.  And He said unto them, Where is your faith.”   Luke 8:23-25

The sky gave no warning while I was at work, all appeared normal.  The same situation, though a storm of life, happened in the same way.  All appeared as a normal day, and in less than four hours after lunch, my husband passed from this life.  Just like that.

As I ended my day and came home, the sky was becoming dark, but I wasn’t too concerned.  About ten to fifteen minutes after I arrived home, the sky was looking turbulent and black.  I turned on my TV for the first time in many months.  The forecaster talked of 3-4 inch hail falling in surrounding areas.  Then rotation within a cloud, and no sooner than the words from him, a tornado had formed and was touching down between me and a town about 10 miles from me.  When he gave the location, I knew I was in the midst of the storm, and became very frightened.  The sky was midnight black, and the lightning was fierce, flashing often and very close.  The tornado narrowly missed me by about a quarter of a mile, taking almost the identical track as last year’s destructive and deadly tornado in a nearby town.

I sought shelter within a closet, praying all would be well, and for a brief moment remembered the disciples and how they must have felt during the storm.  I didn’t feel quite so badly, for the disciples were with Him and frightened, and where does it leave one who is alone in the midst of a storm?  I felt as they felt when the waves were crashing into the ship leaving it filled with water.  I knew at any moment the house could be destroyed with me in it, and I became more afraid.

And isn’t this the way we all feel when the unexpected happens, when a storm begins raging out of control, or afflictions, or troubles of any kind?  Each much different from the other, but frightening all the same.  It is when these respective storms rage, we do all we can do, while praying unceasingly all will be well.  The storm eventually passes, for time sweeps all away, but while we are in the storm, we are reaching for hope, comfort, compassion, reassurance and help.  I felt all of these things when my husband passed from this life, and I felt the same in the storm yesterday…….and then I remembered a Scripture.

“Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters:  Who maketh the clouds His chariot:  Who walketh upon the wings of the wind.”     Psalms 104:3

“There’s always another storm.  It’s the way the world works.  Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms and firestorms.  Some are fierce and some are small.  You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on what’s brewing for tomorrow.”      ~ Snyder

Eileen Light