
[Jesus] got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. — Mark 4:39 NIV
The rain poured down, the leaves were ripped off of the trees, branches twisted, cracked and fell as the trees swayed while the flower petals flurried through the air from the high winds. I did not expect this type of weather Saturday. As I witnessed these events from inside the safety of our home, the lights flickered, flashed off and on twice until all electricity finally shut down. We were just about to brew a pot of coffee and get dinner started, suddenly plans changed so quickly. No longer were we able to enjoy a hot comforting meal, instead, cold sandwiches would be our dinner.
These two hours of inconvenience brought unexpected time to slow down. My mother-in-love and I sat in the darkening living room observing through the floor to ceiling windows as the evening grew dark. She reminisced about her childhood, lighting gas lanterns when the sun set. Often, her dad would peel potatoes for their supper and he’d say to her mom, “If I peel some apples would you bake a pie?” In some ways, those days seem simpler than ours. No tv, computer or iPhones to be distracted by. Only the necessary chores to keep the farm and home going.
I wonder if God allowed this storm to happen for us to be still and quiet. Sometimes, He does allow storms in our lives so that we can focus in on Him. Perhaps, you have a sort of storm in your life right now. It may be His way of saying to you, “Quiet! Be still!” Grab your Bible and read His Word. He wants to speak to you. He wants to calm the winds in your life. The storm may continue, but you will begin to feel His peace in the midst of it. “I have told you these things, so that in me [Jesus] you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Be encouraged!
Prayer: Dear loving Father, thank You for loving us so much that You bring peace into our lives even in the midst of a storm. Thank You for Your words of truth in the Bible that comfort and encourage us. May we seek You during all types of weather in our lives and may Your grace and peace rain down upon us! In Jesus’ name, Amen!