For the past three weeks I haven’t been able to get a story out of my mind. I hear it, and picture it over and over. And I wonder, isn’t that exactly how we are supposed to act?
I was out of town for a birthday party, and while there planned to visit my son and his family. During that weekend on Sunday one of my best friends and I went with my son, daughter-in-law, and my two grandkids on his boat. It was a beautiful day!
The sun was shining, clouds out in the distance meet with the calm blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, while we raced out past North Captiva Island. I say raced because my son only knows one speed – fast. Thank God for the idle zones. That’s where we catch our breath!
While moving between Sanibel and Captiva my son proceeded to tell us of the recent time they were all out on the boat, and a storm came up on them. He said, “Mom, it was out in the distance, and we were heading back in. Then all of a sudden in no time it was on top of us.” He couldn’t believe how quickly it arrived, and with the wind pushing the waves to 4ft plus it rocked his boat to and fro. He decided there would be no time to get to the marina, even at full throttle. They were in the storm. At that point my daughter-in-law chimes in and says, “We headed for the nearest boat dock at a home close by, and the whole time it was raining, thundering, and lightening, my four year old grandson was asleep.” In fact she said, “He missed the whole thing.” She couldn’t believe it. He woke up when the storm passed, and they were back at the marina.
What I couldn’t believe is why they tell me these stories! I was, and am, very thankful everyone is ok. Except the boat – it suffered a scratch. My nerves certainly were not sleeping, or calm. But –
At that moment, and ever since, I have pictured the scene in Matthew.
“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” Mt. 8:23-24 NLT
No, my grandson is not Jesus. It’s in the illustration of that story that God reveals how we are to act. Calm, and resting in our Heavenly Father’s trust. Just as my grandson rested in trusting his daddy to guide the boat. He had no fear, or worry. He was so peaceful, he slept. In his four year old heart he knew his daddy would get them to safety. Aren’t we called to do the same thing with Christ?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Mt. 6:31-32 NLT
Jesus says we will have troubles in this life. There will be trials, and storms, that toss our emotions to and fro like the boat in the storm. Sometimes those storms “suddenly” appear out of nowhere it is on top of us. Sometimes like my son, you can see it coming out in the distance, but then it is “suddenly” on top of you. When those times come, not if, but when because He tells us “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” Jn. 16:33a NLT.
On that Sunday, out in the Gulf of Mexico, on a bright sunny day in the pristine blue waters, God revealed the illustration of how His children are to act in a storm. I love that. The best time to have someone listen is when they are calm, and not facing thunder and lightning all around them. As we anchored on a sand bar, and my grandkids jumped out, there was no fear in them as their feet left the bow of the boat making their way into the water. I keep that story tucked deep into a pocket in my heart. I’m sure one day I will have to exercise it. After all, Jesus said “we will have many trials.”
Some of my most precious illustrations God gives me is through parent child relationships I have the pleasure of witnessing. Rightfully so because He is my, and your, Heavenly Father.
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.” 1 Jn. 3:1 NLT
Friends that is the example you are to follow when the storms of life happen. No, not to literally sleep through them, but to rest in trusting Him. To know He has it all under control. To know He will take you to the nearest dock, wait for the storm to finish raging, then move you on to the marina. When life brings the storms that is the peace I will strive for. It will also be the image of a four year old little boy, asleep on a boat, in a storm, resting fully in his daddy.
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Mt. 10:31 NIV
©Gentle Whisper Ministries
*picture by wallpapersinhq
