Friday Foto Friends: The Storms of Life

It's Friday morning....after a rather tempestuous and turbulent week for so many in our country...terrific thunderstorms and rain here in our part of the country, and frigid, sub-freezing horrific winter storms in parts of the country who have not seen such wintry weather in more than a half century...leaving many folks without power, heat, water...a terrible wintry mix of  suffering and sorrow. Our hearts go out to so many who are still suffering even though the temperatures may have risen, the damages done will take some time to recover from.  It has been a difficult week in the lives of some dear friends as well, with the loss of loved ones from Covid, Cancer, and other terrible illness.  It leaves us all feeling a bit helpless and could be hopeless if it were not for one thing, Jesus!  As we began the journey of Lent this week, looking forward to the "Light" out of the darkness that comes with Easter sunrise...we have hope in our hearts and praise on our lips, because we know Jesus will carry us through the storms of life and bring us safely to the other shore.

Perfectly timed, God showed us His glory this morning in the skies, with this glorious sunrise in the east...

and it's rich beauty reflected on the face of Still Waters Pond in the west...

But with the old adage, "Red skies at night, sailor's delight, Red skies at morning, sailors take warning!", we know that another storm is coming....

And within minutes the clouds begin to roll in, covering up the glory of the morning sun,

snuffing  out the beauty of the reflections on the waters, 

and preparing us for what is blowing in through the skies in a matter of minutes:

and then it begins...the rains come pouring down, lightly at first, 

but building in intensity as the waters burst out of the clouds...

and soon we are having another major rain storm...

But even that is beautiful in its intensity...

And we are even thankful for the rain that is replenishing the earth and restoring the waters of the pond

But the message that came to me this morning was about being at peace in the midst of the storm because we know our God reigns! (not supposed to be a play on words, but it does fit)

The important question to ask ourselves in the storm of life that come and go frequently just like spring rainstorms, will your anchor hold in these storms of life?   Do you have yourself firmly anchored to the One Who will keep you safe in any storm of any kind...weather, personal, national, physical, emotional, financial?

Do you remember this old hymn?

1 "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

Chorus:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

2 It is safely moored, ’twill the storm withstand,

For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;

And the cables passed from His heart to mine,

Can defy the blast, through strength divine.

3 It will firmly hold in the straits of fear,

When the breakers have told the reef is near;

Though the tempest rave and the wild winds blow,

Not an angry wave shall our bark o’erflow.

4 It will surely hold in the floods of death,

When the waters cold chill our latest breath;

On the rising tide it can never fail,

While our hopes abide within the veil."

ONE MORE VERSE:

"When our eyes behold through the gathering night

The city of gold, Our harbor bright,

We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,

With the storms all past for evermore."

Chorus:

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

That "Anchor" is Jesus....He is the ROCK that cannot move...and when we are "grounded firm and deep in the Savior's Love", there is NO storm in life that can uproot us.  He will give us the strength and hope and grace to carry on and keep moving forward even when everything seems bleak and without any hope. He IS our hope and peace and comfort.  I pray that we all have that Anchor that keeps our souls during these storms of life.  Brighter days are coming...it is Lent now, but remember, Easter is coming!!!



Please be sure to check out what Lily Grace has been up to this week. She has some more interesting Friday Fotos for our friends!