Into the Fire

In spite of high winds last night, fitful sleep on my part, and the power going out early this (Thursday) morning for a couple of hours, I am well. Wind is not my favorite thing when it is roaring and whistling, howling, rushing, and growling. We’ve had more wind here in the last two years than I can ever remember. Usually in the past there would be one windstorm in January and not always too severe, steady, manageable winds for a part of March, but the last two years have served up volatile winds in odd months. The wind is still blowing.

I am thankful for the Lord’s protection, His grace as I lay in bed praying for His mercy, reminding myself that He is my strong tower and the refuge in times of trouble/storms. The trees are still standing in the pasture, the outbuildings still have their roofs, and our horses and home are intact. Thank you, Jesus.

Not so, I know, for many in the tornado paths. And for those Floridians and victims of Katrina and others who have suffered at the hands of hurricanes . . . well, this wind we’ve had here is strong enough for me.

Winter has made a powerful statement in Washington. The mountain passes have been shutting down nearly everyday because they can’t keep up with the enormous and unrelenting snowfall. In some of the eastern parts of the state they are fearing floods if a thaw happens too quickly because of the packed snow and ice shrinking their intersections and roadways, piled high with no place left to go. My husband has been hampered by the weather, having to take long alternate routes when the pass has been closed, and in places he has been unable to make his deliveries, having to unload product at smaller transfer trucking outfits. In the southwestern part of the state, several miles of the interstate were shut down for days as a result of severe flooding from a tremendous outpouring of rain, and other area roadways were ravaged by high and fast flowing waters.

My light and momentary struggles with the weather or whatever are nothing compared to those of others. Kristy Dykes battles brain cancer in its final stages, suffering heavily in these last few days, yet she praises the Lord for His goodness. Relatives of the dead in the Midwest where the tornadoes slung cars, homes, and belongings leaving paths of devastation suffer their losses of loved ones and property and battle hopelessness. There are always victims of something tragic. Such is a world corrupted with sin.

But for us who believe in the sovereignty of God, we endure, we hope, we praise, we rejoice because we can’t imagine living any other way. As for me, I’ve tried it without Jesus. It’s hopeless, helpless, hapless. Dreary. Think about it. How would you like to depend on yourself or someone else for everything? With all our personal failures, not to mention those of others—even those we honor and respect—would you really like to place your hope and reliance there? I have. And I always came up empty.

Whatever God elects to do, knowing the days He’s allotted for us, He promises to get us through it all. And He also promises that the rewards on the other side, the eternal side, far outweigh the hardships and sufferings here. Hard to believe in some situations, but I choose to believe Him. I have yet to meet another human being who is not fallible or completely trustworthy, even though they can be wonderful examples of our kind. Not one of them can supply what I truly need.

I hope the weather is acceptable where you are. I hope your spirits are hopeful where you are. I hope your faith is great and growing where you are this Friday. If you’re in Jesus, you’ve got it made.

Father, thank you for your divine protection, your mercy, and the eternal factors of the hope you provide, the faith you increase, the help you pour out, the never ending love you supply. “You’re all I’m livin’ for . . .” In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes.*

Look for the CFBA Tours on others’ blogs for their current reviews, info. (http://rpc.technorati.com/rpc/ping )

Wednesday we’ll be featuring My Name Is Russell Fink by Michael Snyder on the CFBA Blog Tour.