The Storm Before the Calm

Rembrandt 1633

I've been thinking about the 2 times that Jesus calmed the storms at sea. The first time he was in the boat, sound asleep. A storm came up and the disciples got scared so they woke him up. Jesus just rebuked the storm and it stopped. The 2nd time, the disciples were alone in the boat. Jesus had told them to go to the other side of the sea. This time, Jesus walked on the water to them. You remember the story; Peter got out of the boat and walked to Jesus, but he became frightened when he looked at the waves and started to sink. Jesus helped him and calmed the storm. There are so many lessons from these stories. But there are two ideas that came to me this week about these stories:


1. Jesus was with them the first time. Then he allowed them to go into a storm seemingly alone the second time. Often as new believers we get to have Jesus right there, johnny-on-the-spot when we face a trial. But sometimes later, he allows us to face similar things when it seems he is far away (but he really isn't). When it was all over, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. Maybe in that second storm, Jesus wanted them to rebuke the storm, as they had seen him do previously. After all, he had commissioned them to preach the gospel and heal the sick as he did. What might have happened that night if one of them had stood up and told the storm to cease?

2. Both of these storms preceeded an unprecidented demonstration of God's power. The first time, they got out of the boat and met a demoniac who was marvelously delivered. The second time everyone in the land of Gennesaret were healed when they were brought to Jesus - many just by touching the hem of his garment.

Are you in the middle of a storm and wondering why? You are quite likely just hours or days away from the greatest display of God's power in your life. Satan would love to destroy you before that happens, but he can't because Jesus is in your boat. Stand up and rebuke that storm in Jesus' name. Then look for great things to happen.

References Matthew 9:24-34 and Matthew 14: 22-36

Happy Birthday, Tyler

Whenever I think of Tyler, I think of Winnie the Pooh's Tigger. Bouncy, bouncy, bouncy and fun-fun-fun! Tomorrow is my step-son Tyler's birthday. He's lost no energy since the day I first met him. He was jumping on the sofa; trying to touch the ceiling. Thankfully he's not still jumping on sofas (to my knowledge); but he will often be seen wrestling on the floor with Ethan, his son, swinging his daughter Abby about until she's dizzy, or playing with any child in the general vicinity. Ty is one of the most enthusiastic individuals I have ever met, and one of the nicest. Kelly and I often chuckle when we think about Tyler's childhood...Like the time he went next door to help Janna, our neighbor plant her vegetable garden: He ran over, grabbed the rake from her hand, and said, "Let me show you how to do this!" (He was about 7 at the time.) He proceeded to rake up everything she had so painstakingly planted! Janna was very good natured about it though, even though she called him the Tazmanian devil after that. He's no devil though; and we've often been thankful for his energy when it's been time to move or to shovel snow! Tyler, you've grown up and learned to use your powers for good! You work as hard as you play; to the great benefit of your family.

Tigger once said, "The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things!"

Tylers are wonderful too! Happy Birthday Tyler!

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Happy Birthday, John

Photo of me and my two handsome sons, John (left), and Sam (right)

(Not Shown: my daughter Heather, and stepsons Brian and Tyler)

Today is John's birthday. He is celebrating it with his family at Cannon Beach. It's a well-needed rest for my hard-working son and his family. I am celebrating it here at home, and I have much to celebrate. Today is the day that I became a mother. I was blessed that God chose John to be my first child. John was a beautiful, good natured baby; thank goodness; because I was certainly a novice at child rearing! Throughout his childhood he retained that amiable nature. One day when John was only about 4 he was playing in the back yard. Our neighbor knocked on the door and said, "Hurry to your back window and look at John!" Thinking he might be up mischief, I rushed to the window to peek at him. There he was; swinging on the old swingset in our back yard, and singing a sweet little song. Less that 2 feet from him was a mother rabbit, with about 5 baby bunnies. They were hopping about him; totally unafraid. He got out of the swing and walked toward them. I thought for sure they'd run off, but they didn't; they allowed him to pet them! Even these wild animals sensed his kind nature. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen.

He grew to be a gifted student and a talented athlete with musical abilities as well. When I went for parent/teacher conferences, the teachers would just wave me off saying, "He's perfect, go on home; there's nothing more to say!" I knew he wasn't perfect, but it was undeniable that he had a certain something that set him apart from his peers.

John worked hard through high school. He picked berries, baled hay, and later worked in the mall food court. Resources were limited for him to go to college; but he continue to work hard, and put himself through school. He was only the second person in my immediate family to graduate from college. And now John has a beautiful family and a good career.

But I am celebrating much more than John's accomplishments today. I am celebrating the fact that (along with his siblings) he is a good person. From the moment I laid eyes on him, some 36 years ago, I knew he was. Time has only confirmed it. For those who can remember, it's been much like watching those first Polaroid photographs develop. You take the picture, it comes out dark, but what you knew was there gradually developed right before your eyes.

So thank you Heavenly Father, for making me a mom; and allowing me to watch my extraordinary children become extraordinary adults. It's been a rich experience indeed!

And thank you John, for being such a blessing to me. Happy, happy birthday to you!