October 7
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so
that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:37
Our cruise ship docked in the sunshine following a long, slow journey inching our way up the Mississippi River during the cool, early morning hours. We had passed the many oil rigs we had heard about, which jutted out of the water here and there, like islands, breaking the misty view before us. My husband and I, along with my sister and brother and their spouses were celebrating our wedding anniversaries with this once in a lifetime trip! Now in New Orleans, it was hot and steamy, the air hanging heavy, with a scent I couldn’t identify; all just as I had perceived it to be. Those of us with excursions off the ship scrambled to gather together our necessary belongings. With excitement, we looked forward to a lazy day sightseeing on the Mississippi, in a river boat! Images of tropical flowers speckled along lush green river banks, glorious old mansions, watching the huge wheel turn in the murky water and enjoying mint juleps and laughter in the sultry, air filled my head.
But fifteen minutes into the trip, out of nowhere the wind picked up and the sky became like night. Lightening flashed; loud, crashing thunder rolled overhead; and a deluge of rain came down upon those of us who had
opted not to go inside to eat. Others rushed through the doors and into the lower, protected level as the wind turned menacing. Glass tables were being tipped over and shattering and iron chairs tossed about like sticks in its fury! To walk across the deck to the doors had become impossible in seconds! The sound of the wind was deafening and the waves crashed over the side of the little boat as it leaned precariously to the side. The captain was trying to turn the boat around toward the direction we came from causing the boat to rock from side to side even more vigorously. I was utterly terrified! My heart pounded in fear! I was certain we were going to succumb to this storm in this little boat on the river! To think I had been concerned about spending seven days on a ship in the middle of the ocean! While we clung to a mast post, my husband encircled me with his body, all the while reassuring me that we would be all right. Still the power of this horrific storm battering us and the damage it was causing all around overwhelmed me with panic, which is very out of character for level-headed me. But, his calmness reassured me that he would keep us as safe as he could, throughout the ordeal. His arms held tight around me and to that mast! Then, as quickly as the storm came, it was gone! With destruction all around us and our excursion shortened, we returned to the dock, soaked to the skin and thankful to be alive. What I remember most about that day was that through all the noise, I heard my husband’s voice calming me and in the commotion and apprehension, I felt his strength secure me.
How fearful the Apostles must have been that night in their little boat in the storm! How they needed Jesus’ presence to feel safe and secure. So like us. When the storms of life batter us, we need to know He is there. We need to hear His voice. We need to feel His arms around us. And He reminds us that He is with us not only when those squalls furiously buffet our spirits, but always! He places many people in our lives who demonstrate His existence, to remind us of the real physical presence of God. And we are blessed.
Father, thank you for staying with us when our souls are battered by the storms of life! Thank you for the arms that bring comfort and the words that bring peace.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so
that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:37
Our cruise ship docked in the sunshine following a long, slow journey inching our way up the Mississippi River during the cool, early morning hours. We had passed the many oil rigs we had heard about, which jutted out of the water here and there, like islands, breaking the misty view before us. My husband and I, along with my sister and brother and their spouses were celebrating our wedding anniversaries with this once in a lifetime trip! Now in New Orleans, it was hot and steamy, the air hanging heavy, with a scent I couldn’t identify; all just as I had perceived it to be. Those of us with excursions off the ship scrambled to gather together our necessary belongings. With excitement, we looked forward to a lazy day sightseeing on the Mississippi, in a river boat! Images of tropical flowers speckled along lush green river banks, glorious old mansions, watching the huge wheel turn in the murky water and enjoying mint juleps and laughter in the sultry, air filled my head.
But fifteen minutes into the trip, out of nowhere the wind picked up and the sky became like night. Lightening flashed; loud, crashing thunder rolled overhead; and a deluge of rain came down upon those of us who had
opted not to go inside to eat. Others rushed through the doors and into the lower, protected level as the wind turned menacing. Glass tables were being tipped over and shattering and iron chairs tossed about like sticks in its fury! To walk across the deck to the doors had become impossible in seconds! The sound of the wind was deafening and the waves crashed over the side of the little boat as it leaned precariously to the side. The captain was trying to turn the boat around toward the direction we came from causing the boat to rock from side to side even more vigorously. I was utterly terrified! My heart pounded in fear! I was certain we were going to succumb to this storm in this little boat on the river! To think I had been concerned about spending seven days on a ship in the middle of the ocean! While we clung to a mast post, my husband encircled me with his body, all the while reassuring me that we would be all right. Still the power of this horrific storm battering us and the damage it was causing all around overwhelmed me with panic, which is very out of character for level-headed me. But, his calmness reassured me that he would keep us as safe as he could, throughout the ordeal. His arms held tight around me and to that mast! Then, as quickly as the storm came, it was gone! With destruction all around us and our excursion shortened, we returned to the dock, soaked to the skin and thankful to be alive. What I remember most about that day was that through all the noise, I heard my husband’s voice calming me and in the commotion and apprehension, I felt his strength secure me.
How fearful the Apostles must have been that night in their little boat in the storm! How they needed Jesus’ presence to feel safe and secure. So like us. When the storms of life batter us, we need to know He is there. We need to hear His voice. We need to feel His arms around us. And He reminds us that He is with us not only when those squalls furiously buffet our spirits, but always! He places many people in our lives who demonstrate His existence, to remind us of the real physical presence of God. And we are blessed.
Father, thank you for staying with us when our souls are battered by the storms of life! Thank you for the arms that bring comfort and the words that bring peace.
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson