The Emotion of Irma

Well it has been a few weeks since Irma was encountered here in central Florida. We prepared as best we could, but what I wasn’t prepared for was the emotion associated with this “storm.” 

During a short period of time before the storm and for the period after without power I jotted down thoughts in several locations. Just whatever came to mind or better yet came into my heart was written down. Below in no particular order are those thoughts. 

• The mandatory evacuation of our home truly jolted me...the sight of what could be all your life packed into the back of your vehicle, locking the doors, driving away from the place you call home was like a punch in the gut. 
  
  
• Packing up minimal and only essential things, leaving the comfort of the home you have known for so long and not on your terms is draining, deflating, emotional. Is this how it is for the homeless all the time? 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house for what seems like days helps me understand total reliance on Christ. 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house; it is amazing how encouraged you can be with prayer and scripture. 
  
  
• Sitting in a boarded up house; it is amazing how little sleep you get or seem to need. 
  
  
• The closer the storm got, the more I realized that stuff doesn’t really matter; relationships matter. 
  
  
• I wonder why it took this storm for me to tell so many people that I love them? 
  
  
• How precious was that FaceTime with daughter and grandson just before the storm...tears like rain
  
  
• Praying and praying and praying; yet praying carefully as I would not pray for this storm to hit others. Praying for a calming of the storm; a weakening, praying for protection, safety, and peace. Our pastor asked us to pray for love. Praying for love to abound even in the storm. 
  
  
• Can clearly see how much I take for granted; power, air, hot food, Internet, cell service...while at the same time realizing what a luxury. 
  
  
• Being boxed up with now a mandatory curfew even for a short time makes me appreciate our freedom...what a gift... 
  
  
• Amazed at the calming of the storm! Answered prayer! 
  
  
• The storm and clean up after, and days without power disrupt the rhythm of your life – you can’t rest, nothing seems normal – seem to go through the motions of life. Lost??? Scripture brings a centering/focus. Found??? 
  
  
• Storms seem to unify...neighbor helping neighbor no matter their differences. 
  
  
• What hope we have in Christ... 
  
  Grace and Peace!
  

Just As He Was

Mark 4 - Jesus Calms the Storm 

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”  41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” 

Yes, probably common reading as a Hurricane is bearing down, but something struck me this morning, I have read this passage numerous times, but have to admit I have never noticed that “they took him along (in the boat), just as he was.” That phrase; just as he was, stuck with me. Why is that there, what does it mean? 

Not sure I have it correct or hermeneutically analyzed, but what occurred to me is that at least for me, I tend to take Jesus for what I want him to be, a wish granter, a friend, a protector, the one who makes thing right for me; instead of taking Jesus as he is, Divine, Lord, Savior, Loving, Gentle, kind, forgiving, wonderful, grace-filled, teacher, all knowing, all powerful, all in all and we could all add to the list. Forgive me Lord Jesus - full of grace...

So as Irma is still churning toward us, I will continue to call upon Jesus just as he is to calm this storm, but I will call with this attitude: I know he can, but I do not know if he will. And as such my faith will remain in him, he will be my safe harbor, and I will move forward knowing it is he that the wind and the waves obey! 

Grace and Peace!