Goodness and Mercy in the Storm

Goodness and Mercy in the Storm
I love to share about God’s goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives (Psalm 23:6) but then comes along another storm or battle that rocks and reels our world again. So many people in the Florida Panhandle are facing “life AFTER the devastation from Hurricane Michael”. The National Weather Service reported it to have been the third-strongest storm ever to strike the U.S., calling it a catastrophic and unprecedented event.

It's a cinch to speak "goodness and mercy" from my place of comfort, security, and safety this morning. I could go on my merry way and not give a second thought to those precious people who are suffering and are reeling from this disaster. But I can’t. How could I be so callous to not consider those whose homes are destroyed or at the very least are dealing with damages that will take a long time to restore. Our awareness of hurting people should be even stronger in times like this as well as the urgency to pray for their peace, comfort, and resilience. We should also be praying for first responders, emergency relief organizations and those who are providing love and support in tangible ways.

I don't take my comfort for granted because I’ve been through some mighty serious storms in life, and in weather. In fact, I could be right here in the comfort of my home and still be reeling from storms that could be in and around me. I could be completely lost and hopeless -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that I found that God's goodness and mercy did follow me in those times because I found that safe place in the person of Jesus Christ, and what a difference it has made in the many storms I’ve encountered.

There will always be storms in our lives. It’s predictable whether they are from the forces of natural disasters or those from the pain of broken relationships, disappointments, discomfort from illness or loss of loved ones. In all those storms, no matter what comes our way, there is only one Constant that can carry us through each and every storm. We can be hope-filled conquerors because our trust is in God, our Good Shepherd Who promised His goodness and mercy to be with us.

Maybe life seems overwhelming from the storms you may be in today. I've been there and each time I found my answers, my peace and my comfort in the One who is our Good Shepherd. I realize those overwhelming circumstances drew me to the Source of answers, the stable foundation, and my shelter in the storm. I urge you to go there for your place of refuge today. I pray that Jesus' words to the disciples as they were reeling in fear and despair are His words to calm you today: "Peace, be still". In the meantime, let's PRAISE HIM in the storm! And, may His goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.

He Rescued Me

Over the last few days, I’ve seen such remarkable and heart-stirring scenes of people being rescued out of the rushing flood waters of Hurricane Harvey, off of roof tops, and from cars and homes. Thanks be to God for America where our people – first responders, volunteers, churches, charitable organizations, and so many others are stepping up to do what we do in times of crisis. As divided a country that it seems we are -- in times like this, our true colors – good hearts and spirits show up.

As I watched those rescue scenes, I couldn’t help but think of one of my all-time favorite memories with much loved friends who are Gospel songwriters, artists and musicians, Jimmy & Becky Pearce, and the song they wrote, “He Rescued Me”, that blessed our hearts so much. Before singing the song, Jimmy would always tell the story of his dad who rescued three elderly people whose boat had capsized and they were clinging to a fallen tree in the middle of stormy waters. Jimmy’s dad managed to get them all into his boat. The elderly woman clung to his legs and said “I don't want to let him go. He rescued me. He rescued me.” Jimmy and Becky put those words to song that not only carry the message of those being rescued in South Texas in a natural way, but those words explain the good grace of our Heavenly Father Who rescues us from the storms of this life that can be equally devastating. He is our rescuer and we never want to let Him go.

HE RESCUED ME
On the stormy sea of sin I was sinking, never to rise again.
The wind and the rains ‘round me crashing,
Had battered and torn me within

But He rescued me, Jesus rescued me
From the cold dark waters of sin’s troubled sea.
He rescued me, new life I can see
Jesus reached down in love, and He rescued me.

I could feel death’s arm around me, as I struggled for my life.
I could see his angel waiting to claim me for his prize.
In my hour of desperation I almost lost my mind
But somehow I cried to Jesus and He saved me just in time.

So many people in South Texas have lost everything. Everything they had worked for all their lives is gone. There are those who worked from pay check to pay check and they don’t have a job to even go to because the business they worked for is gone. Fear is probably gripping their hearts. They need rescuers and we pray and hope that their needs will be met in such ways they recognize the love of God through people.

Fear gripped the hearts of Christ’s disciples when the storms, the winds, and the waves came to them on the Sea of Galilee. I refer to that scene because it is so clear in my mind after having been on that sea in June. The best part of that scene, scripture says that Jesus saw them from afar and came to them walking on the water to save them. (Matthew 14:22-33)

Though that story is over 2,000 years ago, it is still relevant to us today, and particular to those who have been affected by the devastation in South Texas and those who have fear gripping their hearts about what tomorrow holds. That fear may also be gripping those who are about to give up because matters have gotten worse and they fear for the loss of their marriage or their job or their loved one who is so ill. Jesus – the same – yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) has the ability and wants to come walking on the water into all of those lives. His grace. His love. His mercy. He’s reaching out even now to RESCUE you and me from whatever fear we are facing today. Let’s reach up to those arms.....and let Him.

Are We FIRST RESPONDERS?

My oldest grandson is a firefighter and paramedic, so he falls into that category. A First Responder are professionals who are likely to be among the first people to arrive at and assist at the scene of an emergency, such as an accident, natural disaster, or terrorist attack. THANK YOU, First Responders, for your service, commitment and dedication to others.

Perhaps your heart is so big, that, you too, could be considered a First Responder because of your willingness to run toward a need instead of running away from it. I've been around many First Responders in my lifetime. I've witnessed big-hearted people who put aside their agendas to serve and help someone in need. And, while I've seen others be the recipients of the care and love of First Responders, I, too, saw those who heard about my husband's health diagnosis and went to immediate prayer, brought over meals that said "We care", those who called us and said "What can I do to help?" There were those who offered advice to us when they heard we were facing a similar situation to what they had been through -- and they could help us through it. Then there were those who came over and mowed our lawn or cleaned our home and those who gave me a massage gift certificate and offered to stay with my sweetheart while I was away from him for a couple of hours. There were those who gave to help with our huge medical bills and those who sent cards and words of encouragement. there was a sweet nurse who gave her timely freely to help us. All of those were FIRST RESPONDERS to our needs.

No doubt, we are blessed with the professional First Responders who daily risk their lives for others and I am so grateful for them. But, in a "self-serving" and "what's-in-it-for-me?" world, how commendable and encouraging it is to see there are those out there who do put others first. They are like the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a beatened man, put him on his donkey, took him for medical care, and even paid his entire bill. (Luke 10:25-37). That was the response after Jesus said "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." And the lawyer said "Who is my neighbor?" That's the question for us today. Who are our neighbors? The folks who agree with our religious, ethical, and political persuasions or does God call us to be FIRST RESPONDERS to each and everyone regardless whether or not we think alike.

I loved it when, after my two grandsons and their two friends had face-painted each others faces, that they wanted to stand out on a round-about in their neighborhood and flag down cars to help support Chloe -- a friend of theirs that has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. "Cups 4 Chloe, Relieve Stress with $2 Stress Balls". In just a few hours of selling lemonade and stress orbeez balls, they raised nearly $160. FIRST RESPONDERS. Kids do it -- no questions asked. Why don't we?