Storm's a comin'

I remember a couple fishing trips out onto Black Moshannon State Park dam back in the mid 70s. My cousin and I would get the small 'jon' boat into the water and head out to fish. Early in the morning when dawn is just breaking and the water is as flat and calm as glass, all seems right with the world. We would see Great Blue Heron along the shore and an occasional deer at the woodline. On most trips, we caught little, laughed a lot, and returned home with good memories.

On one occasion, all was not well....

We had rowed to the furthest reaches of the dam and dropped anchor. We fished for bass and pickerel that morning with no success. It had been a good start to the day and then the low rolling cloud cover moved in quickly. Not good!

Storm fronts can move through Black Moshannon with sometimes unpredictable results. This day, the wind rose and our rapid attempts to row back the length of the dam were met with whitecaps and fierce resistance. Suffice it to say, we made it back to the dock, our muscles burning from the strain, but it was a lesson learned. When fishing, keep one eye on the rod and one on the sky.

Sometimes life is like this. All seems to be going as planned and then an unexpected storm crashes over the lip of our boats and we are in self-preservation mode. It is easy to question the Almighty. It is easy to be consumed with the pressure of the crisis and then we are reminded of God's great mercy and grace.

Some of the lyrics of a once popular Pam Thum song are good to hear. "Life is Hard, but God is Good"

(Benson Records, 1996)

It's clear to me that my comfort in the midst of crisis will always be commensurate with my trust in God's goodness. His words of comfort are a constant unifying strand throughout the Bible. God didn't leave His nation of Israel. God did not leave humanity to struggle in sin. God will never leave us or forsake us and for that truth, we should fall to our knees in humble adoration and praise. If not for these words, we would be crushed.

"Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not

grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and

increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will

run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)

Here in the second full day of 2016, find the God of past, present, and future surrounding you with strength. Praise His glorious mercy and grace and especially His love for you. Storms might be comin' but take heart. God can calm the storm (that is coming) and the (one brewing inside your heart).