Keeping Our Heads Above Water - Chapter 21

 March 7, 2016

"The challenges you face are far too great for you to handle alone.  

You are keenly aware of your helplessness in the scheme of events you face.  

This awareness opens up a choice: 

to doggedly go it alone or to walk with Me in humble steps of dependence.  

So, consider it all joy whenever you are enveloped in various trials.

(I must admit; this line makes me scratch my head every time I read it) 

These are gifts from Me, reminding you to rely on Me alone."  

Jesus Calling, March 7 (James 1:2-3)

The trees are budding....the daffodils are blooming.....and I have tiny blooms on my azaleas that struggled to keep their heads above water for a week in December.

And I've got to be honest with you.......I want to start this new week like I want a Root Canal. 

RAIN.

We have more rain headed our way.  Lots and Lots and Lots more rain.  Like 10-12 inches of rain possible......All week....

"And the rain fell and the floods came....and the winds blew and beat on this house.  

But it did not fall, because it had been founded on the Rock."  

Matthew 7:25

And I waffle between "Faith" and "Fear"....... I see the dark clouds coming....like a bruise on your leg that you know will get worse before it gets better....

So I reread the scriptures covering my beams and studs and sheetrock.....left there by friends who genuinely want me to tattoo them into my heart and brain so I won't forget them during these anxious moments....and I feel my shoulders relax a bit....

I tell myself that any storm that comes this week can't do any more damage than has already been done.....we are still rebuilding the foundation....we still don't have floors or sheetrock or furniture....this storm can't do us any more damage.....

But I think about the other 50 people on this lake who have just moved back into their newly repaired homes......new floors, new walls, new paint, new furniture.....and how anxious they must be feeling as they watch the dark clouds covering their homes and docks.....

I pray their hearts will find Peace in the storm....find Comfort in the only One who can bring comfort....and pray the heavy rains miss us.

This little town we live in has witnessed miracles before.  A few years ago, right before Christmas, we had a big ice storm coming our way.  We were straight-up in the middle of its angry path.  It was a big weekend for this little town of ours.....Christmas programs at every church....the town Christmas Parade...celebrations everywhere.  If they had to be canceled due to ice, they couldn't be rescheduled.


This town got on their knees and prayed protection from this looming storm....and wouldn't you know it.....the storm turned north when it got to the county line.  Made a solid left turn on the interstate...at the "Welcome To Franklin County" sign.....and missed us.  The trees on the west side of the sign were covered in ice.....the trees on the east side of the sign had no ice.  No lie....this happened.  There is something special about Mt. Vernon.......

I'm just sayin'.....

So if I could be so bold as to ask you to whisper a prayer for those of us in the path of this looming week of storms......for Courage....for Faith.....for Peace.

Thank you, friends.......