"Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Have you ever felt like that? I have. On the morning after a sexual assault. On the day the LifeFlight crew flew my newborn son off in a helicopter. On the night I learned my younger brother's colon cancer had spread to his liver. These are some of the times I have felt like the disciples when they cried out to the Lord. I am not at one of those moments in time right now. The waves are not crashing around me and I do not feel like I am drowning. But I thought about some of those moments as I considered the Scripture passages I read today from Matthew 8: 23-27. I simply heard that still small voice inside of me whisper, "Peace, be still." and I knew what I had to write about today.
Those experiences I mentioned and many others have worked to shape my life and put me on the path I am on to becoming the woman God wants me to be. The woman I want to be. I know that He can see me through the most gut wrenching, horrendous things. I know that even in man's inhumanity to man there can come an amazing healing. I know that even when my sweet baby boy is away from me in some strange hospital, struggling for his every breath; when things are completely out of my control; God is in the midst and can calm my heart; and He can save my son. I know that even when I hold a precious loved one as he takes his final breath, God can fill that moment with the sweetest peace I have ever known.
Jesus is right there with me, in everything that comes my way. No matter how storm-tossed my boat, He is the one who can calm the seas, He is the one who can calm my soul.
The winds and the waves
shall obey My will, peace be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies;
they shall sweetly obey my will,
peace be still, peace be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will;
peace, peace be still.
-Chorus from Master the Tempest is Raging by Mary Ann Baker
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Deb
Those experiences I mentioned and many others have worked to shape my life and put me on the path I am on to becoming the woman God wants me to be. The woman I want to be. I know that He can see me through the most gut wrenching, horrendous things. I know that even in man's inhumanity to man there can come an amazing healing. I know that even when my sweet baby boy is away from me in some strange hospital, struggling for his every breath; when things are completely out of my control; God is in the midst and can calm my heart; and He can save my son. I know that even when I hold a precious loved one as he takes his final breath, God can fill that moment with the sweetest peace I have ever known.
Jesus is right there with me, in everything that comes my way. No matter how storm-tossed my boat, He is the one who can calm the seas, He is the one who can calm my soul.
The winds and the waves
shall obey My will, peace be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
or demons, or men, or whatever it be.
No water can swallow the ship where lies
the Master of ocean and earth and skies;
they shall sweetly obey my will,
peace be still, peace be still.
They all shall sweetly obey my will;
peace, peace be still.
-Chorus from Master the Tempest is Raging by Mary Ann Baker
Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Deb
4 comments:
Wow, Deb. I never knew some of those things about you. God sure brought you through many valleys. Thanking Him for you!
I'm a new visitor from On Your Heart Tuesday. Peace is my word for this year and so I especially enjoyed your sharing what is on your heart. This morning I read how Shalom is wholeness of body, mind, and spirit. I pray for wholeness for you as you seek His peace. My daughter was attacked about 5 years ago, and somehow it does change you.
BTW, I am a brand new quilter, so we enjoy many of the same things.
Blessings,
Gayle from Behind the Gate
I am so glad you stopped by Gayle. Thank you for your supportive words. It has been many years ago for me- I was in college at the time so, gosh, about 20 now. It took about ten years for the nightmares to go away, it took an even longer time to feel like it no longer had a hold over me. it was a long process, but complete healing from all that goes with such a violation is possible in God's arms. I will be praying for your daughter.
I hope you will share what you are working on with your quilts!
Deb - Only Jesus can give us peace during trials and difficulties. From your post, you have had more than your share. I love the verse found in John, "peace I leave you, my peace I give to you.
Thank you for linking up at The Grace Cafe.
Blessings,
Joan
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