This morning Rebekah woke up after our first night as evacuees and said Mom, I had a dream last night. Through silent, yet giant falling tears she said: There was lava coming and going everywhere so we started to run. Then I realized I forgot Elephuny (her stuffed animal). I turned around to get it, but when I got back everything was gone.
Our family is on the run and separated in Florida due to the monster hurricane that has been called Irma (old German meaning is war goddess). We have no promise that our home or belongings will be there when we return. How exactly do you comfort a child when your heart is heavy, fearful, and full of sadness?
These are the hard, dark, and lonely places of being human. I’m once again reminded that nobody else can live in your pain with you……..except Jesus.
Two years ago we left Illinois with three weeks’ notice to begin a new life in Florida. We left so much behind to begin again. Downsizing was hard, but we were also equally excited about the new journey that was ahead. But this week, we are facing the real possibility of losing it all. It’s easy to say that things are just things until they are your things, your history, the totality of you’re earthly story.
Holding my two youngest, two people who left their country with a stranger and a small bag of personal belongings before they even knew how to speak, I tried to bring them comfort today the only way I know how – in the Word. We talked about Jesus calming the storm, a future and hope that are secured, and not laying our treasures up in earthly things. Today we talked about the living truth, the living waters, and the living God.
I don’t know what today will hold, much less tomorrow. The truth is, we have never had control of those moments anyway. Our lives are not our own. Control is only an illusion. Our future is not secured because we make it so, but because the eternal God has ordered it. Today, we worship, we pray, we trust, and we hope – it’s the only thing I know to do.
“You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander”
~ Oceans, Hillsong United
