CCD Spotlight Blog

Summer Storms

BY THE REV. DAVID MERRITT |

During my childhood, my grandmother’s home was a familiar safe place for me. One night, as we approached our bedtime, that feeling of safety in her home came to an end. After several lightning strikes, we lost our electrical power, water (well and pump), telephone service, the living room chimney, and the fuse box iself. In short, we were stranded until the morning hours. The storm had passed by but the damage was still present.

Photo courtesy of Taylor Smith on Unsplash.

Storms come in many different forms in life. For some, the storms of life are family oriented; a graduation departure, separations, or job relocation. Others experience a health crisis, and still others feel emotional or psychological dissonance. Maybe you are in the midst of a stormy situation. As a person of faith, storms will come our way. The question is not when but how will we respond.

Jesus calmed the storm for the disciples and often reminded them of God’s care of creatures both great and small. God had provided food in the wilderness, rescued the Hebrews from famines and plagues, led them through the wilderness, and entered human form in sending Jesus as the Incarnate Word to usher them into a new covenant. In the uncertainty of life, Jesus said simply to his disciples: “I Am With You…”

Image courtesy of Jackson David on Unsplash.

As we move into another “wave” with the Pandemic looming even greater toward the most vulnerable in our society, we ask for guidance in the storm of illness and fatigue. We as believers need in these days God’s calming presence more than ever. The Holy Spirit as our advocate and guide leads us to speak with honesty in these coming days: “God, help me to see you. Help me to listen to your voice. Help me to follow you in the midst of the storm.”

May the words of this hymn lift your spirits today:

‘Til the storm passes over,

‘Til the thunder sounds no more;

‘Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,

Hold me fast, let me stand,

In the hollow of Thy hand;

Keep me safe ’til the storm passes by.

Lyrics by Mosie Lister


Photo courtesy of Mike Riess.

The Rev. David Merritt is a retired Pastor, former Dean, Outreach Director, and Chaplain, but he’s “papa” according to his grandkids. David loves God, Laurel Ridge, and his family. He has enough sense to get out of the rain but prefers raindrops anyway.


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