The Camping Storm
I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things. Isaiah 45:5-7
A couple of weeks ago I went on a camping trip with my good friend. It was just us and the kids as we went during the week while the dads were working. This was quite a success story for us. We towed the camper and set up camp. We unloaded our bikes and blew and fixed a fuse in the camper. We even managed to make fire in the fire pit for Smores and roasted marshmallows. Us two girls did it and had a nice little campsite going – all by ourselves without the help of the guys. In fact, when the hubby’s showed up to help take the campsite down, they were quite impressed with how we had everything set up. Things were going very well until the second to the last night of our adventure.
Calls started coming in from the husbands. Intense storms had rolled through the Tampa Bay area and were headed our direction. It was time to batten down the hatches. We cleaned up the campsite as best as we could. We secured everything down that we could. Then we did what any mom away with her kids would do when severe weather threatens — we took cover at the local Target.
Two hours, one Frappachino from Starbucks, a soccer ball and Mario Kart Wii later — we returned to the campground to survey the storm. Turns out the storm passed about 3 miles to the east of the campground. I am not even sure it rained! (This is typical for Florida weather). What could’ve been a disastrous evening turned out to be a nice night after all. We still were able to take a bike ride and build a fire for the kids nightly marshmallow roast.
As words of the incoming storms were pouring in, there certainly was that part of me that wanted to panic. I suddenly didn’t feel safe and longed for the safety of my home and my husband. The great outdoors are wonderful as long as you are not exposed to the elements of wicked weather.
The storms of life are really no different. Some turn out to be small rainstorms that pass quickly. Others are Katrina like hurricanes where the effects are felt years and years later. It is in learning to trust The Lord during those storms that we can sustain our faith. I don’t usually understand them but I know God has a plan and I want to be obedient to follow through that plan regardless of life’s unpredictable storms. One thing is certain; storms will continue to be a part of our everyday lives. My prayer is that I survive the storms with faith in God and an unshakable hope in His promises – regardless of how the storm rages on. God is sovereign over all. Jeremiah 29:11 says,
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
.
Trusting in the Lord as we face our storms….learning to believe and live by His word….that is how we survive the storms.
In Christ Alone, Renee
Amen, amen.
Enjoyed this analogy, Renee.
And I’m quite impressed that you gals set up camp yourselves and even more impressed you towed the camper! WoW!
I enjoyed your post, thank you.