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Last week was miserable in the Pacific Northwest with all the snow, ice and then the warmer temperatures and high winds – melting all that snow on trees and caused significant damage and power outages all over the state.  There was a night and day that were LOUD as snow and ice would fall on our roof and branches of trees would snap, crack and gyrate, hitting our roof and sides of our home.  It looked like a war zone in our yard – and the noise was constant.  Our 4 month old puppy, Daisy – did not like it one bit – and we couldn’t explain to her what was going on – or that it was just something normal that happens as things warm up and melt.  She was just FREAKED OUT.

But like any storm, and melting thereof, it soon passed.  Things returned to “normal” around here – at least for her.  Then last night, just before bed – a strong wind-storm swept in and rattled things around AGAIN.  Instead of just ‘hunkering down’ and going to sleep, every little burst of wind and rattle against the sky light and window would cause her to jump to attention and bark – then cower and whimper.  Soon she jumped from the bed and paced from room to room crying and would NOT be consoled – no matter what I did.

Greg was gone, doing windows at his night job.  Finally when he did come home after finishing his work – he found a very frightened but excited puppy – and his presence seemed to comfort her enough that she was able to snuggle up next to him and finally go to sleep for the remainder of the night.

I was reminded of something while she struggled last night during her ‘perfect storm’ – being distracted and frightened by gusts of wind and rain pounding against our house – that I too often struggle against the ‘noise’ of this world – things I can’t comprehend and things that ‘freak me out’ because they are loud, or feel funny, or just scare me.  How often am I distracted by things that are really just ‘normal’ in the big scheme of things.  Is it a reminder of how BIG God is – and how small I am – and I am not meant to understand everything?  Is my “perfect storm” really just a way of coming to Him, like a frightened puppy does when her daddy finally comes home?

There’s safety trusting in our Heavenly Father – who made the wind, rain and storms.  And He has ultimate control, not only of the physical universe – but of the spiritual realm as well – and can calm my own personal storm by just a whisper.

I’m reminded of the storm in the Bible where the disciples and Jesus were on a boat.  Jesus was tired and had gone down below to sleep and a storm whipped up and the disciples were FREAKED OUT thinking they were going to die.  When they awakened sleepy Jesus they said, “Don’t you care that we’re all going to die”  He simply spoke to the storm, “Peace, Be Still” and it was quiet again.  And they were all amazed.

This same Jesus is here to calm the storms in my life and yours.  What seems difficult for us to understand or wrap our minds around – Is NOT too difficult for Him.

And like a puppy who simply can’t comprehend when it is imaginary or real danger  - so we are prone to get distracted by wind and rain in our own world – thinking that it is the BIGGEST STORM we’ve ever had – when all it is – is just noise.

What is your perfect storm?  Are you in one right now?  Does God speak peace to you through the noise and confusion – or are you TOO FREAKED OUT to hear His voice saying, “Peace Be Still” in your own situation?  If you trust Him and know He is in control of the winds, rain and bad storms in your life – then what bad thing can happen?  

Dear Lord – help me to hear your voice through the distractions and noise of my own personal storms.  Help me to see you reaching out your protective arms of peace and strength.  Help me to be soothed by your very presence – drawing me in to snuggle up beside you and just simply trust.

Amen