Calm Before the Storm

Be still my heart, heavy, leaden air before the storm.

Heart pounding, smothered breath, fight or flight.

 Terror, loneliness startle me as if early morn.

Till I look to my Comforter and Father and Son.

  
Heart takes a metronome beat.
He comforts me so calmly.
Whatever will be, will be.
Worry relents. Peace for me
No more fear will defeat me.

Regardless of the situation, I have learned to look to God for my comfort and strength. When every thing around me seems so wrong, I am comforted by the promises found in God's word. As the Psalmist proclaims, God knew the types of woes his people would face

Never Alone

When I saw this beached rowboat, I was drawn to it. Initially, it appeared painfully empty, abandoned and alone on the shore. Then I realized that this is just a season in this boat's life. At times, it surely weathered rough waves and rejoiced in the catch of the day. Bouncing along the waves, whether it had passengers did not matter. What mattered was that it was never alone as the lighthouse always watched over it. This makes me think of my life. Youth is fresh like the smell of the newly cut wood that was fashioned into this boat. Maturity clothes a person like the paint that covered the boat. Self-confidence is gained along the way just like the boat gained worthiness with each trip. Stress and troubles leave a mark on a person's soul just as this boat shows the wear of its travels. Life may lead one from shore to shore but two things remain constant. The essence of the boat does not change with locale. Just as the lighthouse watches over this and other boats, God is always there. As the Psalmist said, God's word is an every ready beacon that shows the way.

Never-ending Monday...

Whenever it seems like it's a never-ending Monday, I need to kick back and relax and stop worrying. Watching my puppy thoroughly enjoy wind surfing out of my car window reminds me of this. Worry less and enjoy life. God allows hectic and bad days like these to help us appreciate the good things in life and to help us realize how much we need Him. 

So if you're feeling overwhelmed and worrisome, remember, you don't have to carry the burden of anxiety. Take time to "feel the wind in your hair".