(Friday)
“What do you mean you’re going outside?” That’s a question I use to ask on a regular basis. My personal philosophy is that horrible weather events are meant to watch from inside – preferably on a television screen. I have never been drawn to the great outdoors during storms. The love of my life has a different assessment. The harder the rain, the better the time to get out and clean the gutters, he says. I’ve never quite determined whether that’s true or storms just remind him that particular chore needs to be done.
I remember one blustery day when our three children were quite young. Our girls were toddlers, and the boy was still in a baby carrier. Blustery was much too mild; this day was better described as tempestuous and scary. We were home watching the weather roll closer and closer to our area. I had been glued to the television for most of the day monitoring and making plans should we need to take cover. As the afternoon progressed I noticed tornadoes were all around us, and one particular cell was likely headed right for our house. We had about twenty minutes before the worst arrived, and the storm was already angry. I gathered the kids, some snacks and water, a few toys, books, flashlights and the dog. My bedroom closet was large enough for all of us. Located in the exact center of our home, it backed up to a wall of pipes for the adjoining bathroom. Perfect. I went through my mental checklist and began to count heads – one, two, three kids, one dog, one husband… wait, where’s the husband?
With a prayer in my heart, I made a quick pass through the house and found him headed outside. “What do you mean you’re going outside?” He explained how he just wanted to clean the gutters quickly so the coming rains would flush them out well. Arguing with him is a waste of energy and a frustration to only one of us. I headed back to the closet with the children and heard him exit the house. Lord, give me patience. I could still hear the tv and knew the storm wasn’t far away. Lord, protect my family. I was finding it difficult to concentrate on the book I was reading for the children. What was taking Bill so long?
About that time, I heard a strangely familiar sound. Was that… the dinner bell? Our bell was huge and solid cast iron. That must be some kind of powerful wind to be ringing such a heavy bell. My brain began to swirl with questions. Would that even be possible? Was the tornado here already? Why wasn’t Bill in the house yet? Was he safe? Surely he wasn’t standing in the yard watching that storm roll in, was he? Should I be worried or angry? I realized I was one part worried and two parts angry. Then it struck me that the bell was tolling in a sort of pattern. There could be only one possible reason for that: Bill was ringing the bell. I bolted from the closet.
As I moved outside, I realized that I may have been angry, but the sky was enraged. Thick black clouds looked as though they would twist and plunge to the ground at any moment. I turned toward the bell as I heard Bill’s voice from above. “Get the ladder!” Sure enough, the storm had mocked him by blowing his ladder to the ground. He had crawled to the edge of the of the roof on his belly, stretched out as far as he could, and managed to tip the bell in an effort to get my attention.
Once we were both inside, Bill remarked that he was just about to jump when he saw me. I was relieved he was off the roof, thankful he was unharmed, and glad to have everyone safely inside. I leaned in close to his face and spoke the only words I could manage. Get. In. The. Closet.
As storms roll into my life, I often feel as though I’m trapped outside on a roof completely exposed to the nasty elements – without a ladder. In those daunting moments, I find comfort knowing that Jesus understands my difficulties because he encountered the same. Frustration, wonder, astonishment… all were among the emotions Jesus faced when surrounded by those he loved. Their decisions, their choices, their reasonings were regularly met with the question: “what do you mean?” To the elders in the Temple, to Nicodemus, to his disciples, Jesus asked: “What do you mean you don’t understand?” At that point in the storm, prayer usually followed.
When viewed in light of personal storms, I find the examples of Jesus turning to prayer to be worth imitating. Just like the bell-ringing day, I continually pray for the safety of my children, the wisdom to make good decisions, the patience to understand the love of my life, and the understanding of scripture that clearly instructs me toward my best living.
Praying through the storms,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 51
Creator, reshape my heart; God steady my spirit. Do not cast me aside stripped of your Holy Spirit. Save me, bring back my joy, support me, strengthen my will. Then I will teach your way and sinners will turn to you. Help me, stop my tears, and I will sing your goodness. Holy One, give me words and I will shout your praise. Amen.
re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 51 – Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Hebrews 4 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html
“What do you mean you’re going outside?” That’s a question I use to ask on a regular basis. My personal philosophy is that horrible weather events are meant to watch from inside – preferably on a television screen. I have never been drawn to the great outdoors during storms. The love of my life has a different assessment. The harder the rain, the better the time to get out and clean the gutters, he says. I’ve never quite determined whether that’s true or storms just remind him that particular chore needs to be done.
I remember one blustery day when our three children were quite young. Our girls were toddlers, and the boy was still in a baby carrier. Blustery was much too mild; this day was better described as tempestuous and scary. We were home watching the weather roll closer and closer to our area. I had been glued to the television for most of the day monitoring and making plans should we need to take cover. As the afternoon progressed I noticed tornadoes were all around us, and one particular cell was likely headed right for our house. We had about twenty minutes before the worst arrived, and the storm was already angry. I gathered the kids, some snacks and water, a few toys, books, flashlights and the dog. My bedroom closet was large enough for all of us. Located in the exact center of our home, it backed up to a wall of pipes for the adjoining bathroom. Perfect. I went through my mental checklist and began to count heads – one, two, three kids, one dog, one husband… wait, where’s the husband?
With a prayer in my heart, I made a quick pass through the house and found him headed outside. “What do you mean you’re going outside?” He explained how he just wanted to clean the gutters quickly so the coming rains would flush them out well. Arguing with him is a waste of energy and a frustration to only one of us. I headed back to the closet with the children and heard him exit the house. Lord, give me patience. I could still hear the tv and knew the storm wasn’t far away. Lord, protect my family. I was finding it difficult to concentrate on the book I was reading for the children. What was taking Bill so long?
About that time, I heard a strangely familiar sound. Was that… the dinner bell? Our bell was huge and solid cast iron. That must be some kind of powerful wind to be ringing such a heavy bell. My brain began to swirl with questions. Would that even be possible? Was the tornado here already? Why wasn’t Bill in the house yet? Was he safe? Surely he wasn’t standing in the yard watching that storm roll in, was he? Should I be worried or angry? I realized I was one part worried and two parts angry. Then it struck me that the bell was tolling in a sort of pattern. There could be only one possible reason for that: Bill was ringing the bell. I bolted from the closet.
As I moved outside, I realized that I may have been angry, but the sky was enraged. Thick black clouds looked as though they would twist and plunge to the ground at any moment. I turned toward the bell as I heard Bill’s voice from above. “Get the ladder!” Sure enough, the storm had mocked him by blowing his ladder to the ground. He had crawled to the edge of the of the roof on his belly, stretched out as far as he could, and managed to tip the bell in an effort to get my attention.
Once we were both inside, Bill remarked that he was just about to jump when he saw me. I was relieved he was off the roof, thankful he was unharmed, and glad to have everyone safely inside. I leaned in close to his face and spoke the only words I could manage. Get. In. The. Closet.
As storms roll into my life, I often feel as though I’m trapped outside on a roof completely exposed to the nasty elements – without a ladder. In those daunting moments, I find comfort knowing that Jesus understands my difficulties because he encountered the same. Frustration, wonder, astonishment… all were among the emotions Jesus faced when surrounded by those he loved. Their decisions, their choices, their reasonings were regularly met with the question: “what do you mean?” To the elders in the Temple, to Nicodemus, to his disciples, Jesus asked: “What do you mean you don’t understand?” At that point in the storm, prayer usually followed.
When viewed in light of personal storms, I find the examples of Jesus turning to prayer to be worth imitating. Just like the bell-ringing day, I continually pray for the safety of my children, the wisdom to make good decisions, the patience to understand the love of my life, and the understanding of scripture that clearly instructs me toward my best living.
Praying through the storms,
Pastor Beth
PRAYER FROM PSALM 51
Creator, reshape my heart; God steady my spirit. Do not cast me aside stripped of your Holy Spirit. Save me, bring back my joy, support me, strengthen my will. Then I will teach your way and sinners will turn to you. Help me, stop my tears, and I will sing your goodness. Holy One, give me words and I will shout your praise. Amen.
re-worship.blogspot.com
KEY VERSES FROM TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 51 – Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Hebrews 4 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
For today’s full scripture readings, click here… https://www.divinestreet.org/lent-scripture.html