Storms

Judges 11:1-11, 29-40
Psalms 66, 67
2 Corinthians 11:21b-31
Mark 4:35-41




Mark 4:35-41

Living Houston storms and fear of hurricanes are a way of life, particularly in the summer and fall. Last week Eduord came by. He never posed much of a threat but we brought in most of the small yard items that he could have transformed into missiles, made sure that we had plenty of water and batteries and filled the car with gas. Then we waited. The rains came, gently at first then more torrential until nobody would want to go out in it, especially the dog.
The time of preparation is anxious. Remember the year of Katrina and Rita. new Orleans may never recover from Katrina. Houston saw the devastation of Katrina on New Orleans and feared that Rita would have a similar effect. The city emptied, or attempted to empty. The roads were so full that nobody could get out and 17 people died in the traffic. Fear and anticipation of the worst overwhelmed Houston. This is why the disciples woke Jesus. They had no clue how bad the storm was going to be.
Neither do we know how bad the storm will be. All we know is like the disciples we have Jesus with us. Storms blow up from nowhere. Many times I have had an overbooked day and things have happened which have reduced the load. This of course is just a very small instance of Jesus' calming influence, but then he acts in the gentle breeze just as much as in the cyclone.