Fears
Her dreams were restless and wild. The darkness was filled with flashes of light that exploded in colors all around her. At times it felt as if the light was piecing her. Loud noises . . . roaring . . . cracking . . . popping sounds surrounded her. Then a small sound caught her attention--a whimper.
She searched in her mind for the source of that little sound almost hidden by the cacophonous sounds all around. Then she felt the shivering. Rousing from her sleep, she realized this wasn't a dream--a storm was raging outside. Lightening filled the skies and seemed to pierce the room through the windows facing west and north. The whimpering and shivering came from her beloved canine companion who had crawled onto the bed, burrowed under the cover and was trying to burrow under her as well.
It was hard to see a 50+ pound dog reduced to a quivering mass. She curled into a small shivering mass as close to her mother as possible. Storms had not always frightened her, but after a particularly horrible storm with wind and hail she feared them. Burrowing into the warmth and protection of her mom, she lifted frightened eyes to watch the storm raging outside. Her brows furrowed and she ducked her head back down, tucking it under mom's arm. Had she been able to crawl under her--she would have.
Slowly the storm unleashed it's furry. Slowly it played itself out. Slowly the quivering slowed and stopped. She relaxed her body--yet still remained molded to her mother. Mom was her safety--her anchor. Mom would calm her fears and help her through the storm. Mom was her rock.
Often in life, a bad experience leaves us fearful, jaded, and terrified of the unknown . . . the "what ifs." We quiver and shake because of what might happen--not what is happening at this moment. The potential of bad things happening scare us into hiding . . . inaction . . . inability to function. We seek a place to hide . . . a place of safety . . . a place out of the storm.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present[a] help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46:1-3)
When we are afraid . . . alone . . . distressed, God is always there. Like a loving parent, God wraps God's self around us to protect and comfort us. God's love never fails. Even in the howling wind, God hears our smallest whimper and holds loving arms out to us.
God, our refuge, our rock, our strength, we know you are always there. When the storms come into our lives help us to seek refuge with you . . . to turn to you . . . to seek your ways. Help us to remember your ways in both the good times and the bad. We place our trust . . . our faith in you. So be it. Amen.
Respond to this blog
Posting a comment requires free registration:
- If you already have an account, follow this link to login
- Otherwise, follow this link to register