The present storm, dubbed Sandy ,
that is having her pre-Halloween scare for many millions in the eastern part of
the US
As I pray for all the people in the storm’s path, I am
reminded to think and pray for all the rest of God’s creation. The trees,
shrubs, the birds that reside in them which will be blown and whipped around by
Brother Wind and also all the marine life which will be uprooted from their homes,
turbulently tossed about by God’s other creation Sister Water.
I think of those leaves who were clinging to life on the
branch of an oak, elm or birch tree, hoping to live a few more days but will soon
see their end as they lose strength in enduring the strong steady buffeting
from Brother Wind. I think of all the other creatures who I’m sure will find
shelter in holes and caves and the all the other little nooks that nature so
kindly sculpts out.
During calm weather I can see calling the wind, brother, and
the water, sister, but now in a storm I cannot seem to get myself to call them
so; I can’t seem to see how they are acting as a brother and sister when their
behavior turns to violence – causing destruction.
I know there is a reason for everything on earth,
Ecclesiastes reminds me so, and there must be a reason for Brother Wind and
Sister Water for acting so. My earthly mind cannot grasp these extremes of
nature. How can things that were created to help are all of a sudden turned to
destroy. I wonder if Brother Wind and Sister Water are not more pleased in
helping than in destroying. I wonder if part of their mission is to prune all
the excesses and bad growth on earth; if so, this type of massive pruning
doesn’t spare anyone or anything in its path – the good are also taken along
with the bad.
The past few days, I’ve watched many around me take their
expensive toys, boats, out of the water and put them in a safe place and as
they did this I wondered how much preparation they did for themselves. Oh, I saw
many rush to stores to stock their homes of the essentials in the event that
they would lose power, but did they stop and think of what they needed to do to
set their spiritual home in order?
I saw signs on the highway days before the storm warning people
to be prepared. I wonder what was on their checklists. I caught a snippet of
the Governor’s press conference and listened as he told people of the do’s and
even don’ts to observe during the storm. They made plans to close schools,
warned people to stay off the roads, asked people not to go to work on Monday,
etc. It seemed that they covered all the bases but the one that was left out
was to take some time to pray to whatever God one believes in.
Nature’s storms remind us of the destructive forces in nature
and they should be a reminder of the destructive forces at play between human
beings who have not reconciled differences; that have been unable to forgive,
simply because they have not been able to ask for forgiveness. This should be a
great opportunity to ask for God’s forgiveness and to give us the wisdom and
courage to forgive those who trespass us against us. This should also be a good
time to tell them that you love them.
Just think of the calmness not only outside but inside that
you’ll experience when all this has blown over.
God is our shelter and
strength,
Always ready to help
in times of trouble.So we will not be afraid,
Even if the earth is shaken
And mountains fall into the ocean depths;
Even if the seas roar and rage,
And the hills are shaken by the violence.
The Lord Almighty is
with us;
the God of Jacob is
our refuge.~Psalm 46: 1-3, 7
Ocean Bluffs, MA 1 hr. before high tide
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