Hurricanes and other storms

We have good friends in Brandenton, Florida, not far from Anna Maria Island, who are under a warning for Tropical Storm Fay to move their way. I think they have battened down the hatches, brought in supplies, and now just wait for whatever come in the next 24-48 hours. They can't change the path of that storm. But they know the One who can, and can rest in Him through it. What a comfort that is!

On Saturday, we attended a lovely reception for a former student and son of a dear friend. He has a new wife, and we celebrated together what God has done in the live of Eric and Mary, which recently resulted in their marriage and their beginning to serve the lord together as a family. It was a lovely, joyous event, with gale-force winds of happiness blowing everywhere as we rejoiced in what the Lord has done.

While at the reception, we received word that my student, Becca, had left this world, laying aside her struggle against lymphoma, and entering the presence of her Lord. As we grieved together, I looked at the happy, rejoicing family before me, and thought about the different road God has called Becca's family to walk, it was as if those winds shifted direction and began blowing strongly in a new direction. Now we comforted one another, and reminded ourselves and each other that God's plan was just as evident in one of these events as the other. But the winds seemed to be blowing so very hard!

All of these windy times remind me of Psalm 46:

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Whether it is the winds of a tropical storm, or the gales of amazing happiness, or the force of tremendous grief, we can know a shelter, a place where we can be still, and know our God. That is good news, indeed.