Several weeks ago, I was
huddled under the awning on our deck in the Great Smoky Mountains. The rain was falling rapidly from the clouds,
the thunder echoed through the mountains, and the lightening flashed brightly
in the evening sky. Directly across from
our deck, there is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain stream. Cascading down into the stream is a gorgeous
waterfall. Even in the midst of a fierce
and somewhat frightening mountain thunderstorm, the beauty surrounding the area
remains truly indescribable.
In life, there are many types
of mountain-sized storms. There are the
physical ones that we can see and hear.
In these storms, we can readily seek shelter from the rain and wind. Through the wisdom God has imparted to the
men and women manning the weather stations, we often receive advance warning
that a severe storm is approaching our area, giving us time to adequately
prepare, which improves our safety in the midst of the storm. Other times, we are not so fortunate. Sometimes, there is not enough warning.
A close family friend once
shared her experience as she and her family lived to tell the tale of the
nightmarish storm named Hurricane Andrew that swept through Miami,
Florida. She told us how she and her
family huddled in the bathtub, praying and hoping they would all survive the
howling winds, the torrential rain, and the endless debris. As their roof and the walls of their home
were stripped away from the foundation, they wondered if they would survive. As the storm moved on, it only left one thing
behind: the bathtub. Though everything
they owned was either destroyed or blown away, they were alive. Their family had been spared. God had granted them safety in the storm.
Sometimes, even the knowledge
that a storm is in the area cannot prepare us for the devastation that lies
ahead. A hurricane can be too fierce, a
tornado can come upon us too suddenly, a tsunami can overtake us before we have
time to evacuate… Much like these
physical storms, there are also emotional and mental storms that we must
endure. And much like the aforementioned
physical storms, there is not always adequate warning with regard to when and
where these storms will strike.
At the age of sixteen years
old, I went into my closet to change clothes.
My dad and I were preparing to go see my mom who was in the
hospital. I felt a piercing pain in my
side. Within a few short hours, I was
lying on an operating table, having been diagnosed with a perforated colon and
peritonitis. If the doctors had not
operated immediately and if my parents had not prayed for my healing, I might
not have lived through the night.
My parents were very
concerned and prayed diligently that the Lord would spare my life. I remember my words to them as I was about to
be rolled into the operating room. I
told them that I loved them and that God would make sure everything was
alright. Even in the midst of this storm,
I had assurance that God would make it right.
I knew that His promise in Romans 8:28 was true.
All
things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to
His purpose. Romans 8:28
As I sit here today, fourteen
years later, I can still tell you with calm assurance that everything will be
okay. Since that time, I have weathered
many more storms, some of which have been much more ferocious. The night my mom had a heart attack was one
of the most violent storms I have ever faced.
Each time I walk in our living room in our camper in the mountains, I am
reminded of the horrors of that night.
For several years, I have questioned why God would take her at such a
young age, and why He would allow it to happen there, at our beautiful place in
the mountains. How could something so
tragic occur in such a magnificent and peaceful setting?
While I do not have all of
the answers, I have come to realize that these questions are not
important. Instead, I am beginning to
realize that instead of avoiding this place I used to love, I need to embrace
it. Rather than dwelling on one single
night, I need to focus on the fifteen years that we have spent in the midst of
these majestic mountain landscapes. I
need to be grateful for the memories that we have made there and enjoy making
new memories each and every day that God allows us to be in the midst of His
awe-inspiring Creation.
Why? Because even through my uncertainty, even
through the storm that swept through my life nearly four years ago, and even
through my emotional ups and downs relating to this place I find both peaceful
and unsettling, God knows me and loves me without fail. In every moment I feel ill at ease there, He
loves me. In every moment that I
question Him, He loves me. In every
moment I just need to feel loved, He loves me.
Friend, I want to encourage
you and remind you that God loves you, too, with an absolute love that has no
end. God will take everything that has
happened in your life and use it for your good.
You may not understand it yet.
Perhaps you are still spinning around in a tornado of emotions, or maybe
you are inundated by a flood of sorrowful tears. No matter what storm you are facing, God is
standing with you. He will ensure that
you make it safely to the sunshine once more, where you will be able to enjoy
the beauty surrounding you. Though the
thunder may roll, the lightening may flash, and the rain may fall, God will be
your Shelter from the storm.
In Christ's Love,
Jennifer
Three colors. Thirteen stripes. Fifty stars. Though its outward appearance may be a humble collection of cloth stitched together, the American flag is a symbol of life, liberty, and justice for all. This flag has been waved proudly and it has also been burned with hatred. Throughout America’s history, this flag has literally made its way to the moon and back. It has marched down city streets and flies high above our nation’s capital. On Memorial Day, however, we remember this flag in a different manner.
When folded into a triangle and presented to a mother, father, husband, wife, son, or daughter at a funeral, this flag represents a life lost. A life lived to the fullest, but cut too short. Think about it. There are hundreds of thousands of men and women who served their country and never made it home. They had hopes and dreams for their future. Perhaps they wanted to marry their childhood sweetheart, raise a family, or buy a house. But one decision cost it all. They decided to put their life on the line to help ensure our safety and freedom in America. While defending our lives, they lost their own.
This Memorial Day, I encourage you to enjoy the backyard barbeques and much-needed rest and relaxation. But above all, I urge you to cherish the time you have with your friends and family. As the family and friends of fallen soldiers will tell you, you never know how much time you’ll have with them. Be sure to say a prayer for these families, as I am sure today is especially hard for them. And be sure to pray for the service men and women who are fighting for our freedom even today. Let’s pray that they come home waving the flag proudly, so we can thank them personally for the priceless gift they are giving to you and me: freedom.