I saw this local photo on FB the other day – pretty incredible. Storms are so out of our control and unpredictable. There are disruptions and patterns in weather but there also the same in the circumstances of our lives. We seldom live free of some sort of turbulence. And sometimes we feel buried by things beyond our reach.
I have found that making my home under the wings of God is helpful in this. He adjusts the pinions of His wings to kindly and clearly cover me as I face challenges and fears. I wrote this during covid. Hopefully it will encourage you!
PERFECT STORM by Dave
So I was thinking about you today and the perfect storm in which I find myself.
I wrote this poem for you – for me.
It is hard for me to think about the loss I feel
Companionship is such a touching thing for me – for my heart
Many times on this journey I have been taught through what is lost
And it can make my soul crumble if I let it
But if I protect myself I seem to suffer loss as well
So I have learned to turn my face toward the storm
Just like you, soldiering on to a more perfect destination
Thank you for what you have brought to my sojourning
I really think my deep life is a string of heart-lights in this dark world
These are the things I value and carry with me
Not merely faces but the privilege of gifts of heart
Which have blessed my soul in their very depths
This heart which I have seen in you
And the light you have shone into me
I am sorry for the ways I have – or am letting you down even now
It is weird to look to imperfection for comfort
But in this perfect storm I want you to know
That you and those whom you love
Will always be in my God-quickened memory
Of laughs and troubles, of births and deaths
Of triumphs and loss
Until the day we meet again
Take care my friend
Soon the storm will be over
And we will be overtaken by rivers of light
Selah
Dave and Burnadette
“Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” – Mark 4:38
“Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed.
Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the gathering of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders.” – Psalm 107:28-32
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. – Psalm 46