In the last few days, I have felt as though we are unable to escape deep heartache. The storms in the south causing deadly tornadoes, a whole town almost obliterated. Certainly, the families who are left to pick up the pieces, are scared from loss. I believe the mind has a very difficult time wrapping their head around what has happened in close to a blink of the eye. A news reporter asked a survivor, who had been hiding in their bathroom tub with their family how long did the roar of the tornado last? The answer, “it felt like a lifetime but probably only a few minutes.” Such tragedy in a few minutes. It will be a lifetime to overcome.
Control, do we have any? I sat and cried, watching what has happened in my home state. Anxious to see or hear from someone, I knew in Aberdeen. I tried Facebook first, but the lack of power created a void in cell service. Then a friend in the outskirts answered with we are okay, she added Amory took the brunt in the county. Once I was able to confirm some of my distant family and friends were okay, we began to think of what we could do immediately. Asking my cousin, Dee, “Right now, most people are in shock. The church is gone with nothing salvageable accept a stain glass window. To make it worse people came to the church during the night and stole the beautiful window that was only cracked. Next door, the couple lost everything. Those not affected are helping their neighbors. Right now, I don’t think we know where to begin.”
Storms … Jesus had fed the masses, five thousand men plus women and children. Jesus instructed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. After sending them away he retreated onto a mountain by himself to pray. The boat of disciples was fighting the strong headwind, being battered by the waves. Jesus walked on the water to join His disciples, but they thought it was a ghost, beginning to scream in terror. Jesus spoke to them, “It’s me, don’t be afraid, be encouraged.” Peter, being Peter, had to meet Jesus to prove it really was Him. After Jesus said, “Come,” Peter stepped from the boat and onto the water, walking toward Jesus. He looked away at the strong wind, became frightened beginning to sink. “Lord, rescue me!” Jesus reached out grabbing him saying, “You man of weak faith. Why did you begin to doubt?” When they returned to the boat, the wind settled down. Those in the boat raised their hand in worship, “You must be God’s Son!”
It is easy to feel close to God on a beautiful spring day with no tornadoes bearing down in the dark night. However, it is more difficult to keep our eyes on Him when the storm is overwhelming and frightening. The storm may not be a tornado, fire, flooding, or disaster. It may be times of devastating illness, loss and deep sorrow. It may be the presence of darkness and evil, so opposite a beautiful spring day. Today, in the state I call home, a school shooting in Nashville, killing three children and three adults.
The shooter obviously did not like their own life, thus the only way in this mentally ill 28-year-old woman, was to kill those who did love life, such as three nine-year-old happy, playful, innocent children, with joyful bright eyes and huge smiles. Just a few weeks away from Easter, they will not get easter baskets or hunt eggs dressed in their Easter best. They will also never be in the arms of their loved ones again, never be able to laugh, play, eat ice cream, or learn so much about this world. However, perhaps they have taught us how things on this earth should not be. This lesson is not the first one, but of the many young lives over the years taken in the name of hate. What is the next step?
As a product of the sixties, I hear the song sung by Jackie DeShannon, “What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love.” No not just for one but for everyone. No matter our individual background, our religious preference or political persuasion, we should be able to agree with the song.
No matter the storm, we need the Lord to take our hands and walk us to safety, back to the boat. And Jesus said, “It’s me, don’t be afraid.”