+JMJ
The term for the smell after a rain is petrichor. That rich earthy smell I find so comforting. Before that lovely smell comes though, the storm has to roll in. This is one of my favorite things. Listening to the sound of the thunder in the distance. The wind coming through providing a hint of clarity. That heaviness in the air as it becomes laden with the anticipated rain.
As the storm rolls in, you don’t really know what you are going to get. It could be a peaceful drizzle. The kind of storm that makes you want to curl up in a blanket with a good book. It could be a torrential downpour. The kind of storm that makes the power go out and fill the basement with water. The Lord shows me in the following contemplation, that even in the worst storm imaginable, He is there to help me.
The Calming of the Storm
And He saith to them that day, when evening was come, “Let us pass over to the other side.” And sending away the multitude, they take Him even as He was in the ship and there were other ships with Him. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship so that the ship was filled.
And He was was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow, and they awake Him, and say to Him, “Master, doth it not concern Thee that we perish?”
And rising up, He rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.”
And the wind ceased, and there was made a great calm. And He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Have you not faith yet?”
And they feared exceedingly and they said one to another, “Who is this (thinkest thou) that both wind and sea obey Him?” -Mark 4:35-40
My Contemplation
I am on the boat at sea and as we embark, my Lord retires below deck for a rest.
The wind begins to pick up and to cause the waves begin to swell a little bit larger, causing the boat to rock from side to side. There is a roll of thunder in the distance, but there is very little movement on the boat.
The clouds darken and roll out over the sea, and a slight tension is felt on the boat. There is a flash of light directly above us in the clouds and immediately is followed by a thunderous clap that feels like it could split the air itself. The clouds release, in a torrential downpour, the rains they were carrying.
Panic takes hold of everyone on the boat now as we all scramble to protect ourselves from the storm that had been unleashed upon us. But there seems to be no protection as the storm increases in intensity and tosses the boat around on the sea. The winds howl, driving the rain to sting my face. My stomach feels uneasy as the boat rocks violently. The other passengers are screaming and wailing in fear. My whole being is infused with the agonizing cries and I realize, I myself, have joined then in this despair.
My gaze is drawn to the trap door that leads to deck below. A tiny whisper moves my heart to Him. I desperately scramble through the driving rain to the hatch to go below. I reach down to pull it open and it is violently thrust open by the wind making me fall back on the soaked deck. I drag myself to the opening and yell down below for help, but the wind seems to carry my cries away, lost in the raging storm.
I throw my feet down the hole and slip down the narrow stairs. I am dripping wet, and try to stand, but am tossed against the side of the boat as it rocks back and forth so forcefully. I have to crawl on the floor towards the front of the boat.
I see Him resting so peacefully on a pillow. His face drawn into a tender smile. I try to stand and stumble again as the boat jerks to the side. I crash into the fishing equipment that had been set against the side of the boat.
He opens His eyes and sees me tangled there crying, wet, and pitiful. He sees the despair in my heart and with a compassionate sigh, rises, and carefully untangles me from the mess I had fallen into. He helps me to stand, carefully wipes away my tears, and rebukes the storm. I feel the boat steady immediately, and it grows quiet outside.
“Why are you fearful?” He asks me, “I have given you the signs. Do you not have faith?”
I am overwhelmed by the power of Him at the sight of His authority over the wind and sea.
He draws me to Him in the contemplation as I find myself in the midst of the most horrible storm I have ever had to endure in my life. And His words echo in my heart, “Why are you fearful?” It is as if, like in my contemplation, there were signs of this coming storm. He has been showing me these signs and preparing me for them. This gives me the greatest confidence in His power, His love, His compassion, and His mercy. He knew this storm was coming, and He is always ready to help me through it.
Thrive in Jesus, My Friends!
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What storms has the Lord helped you through lately? Leave a comment and let me know!