How to Weather a Storm…

Boys gather at the front window, eager for that first glimpse of friends. Excited shrieks announce their arrival as I pour our summer batch of sand into the sandbox in the backyard. Not one but TWO grandma’s approach the front door with my friend Amanda’s children. {Remember Amanda? I asked you all to be praying for her.} Nearly 3 weeks following her massive stroke, we continue on with plans to co-op for the summer and look forward to when she will soon be able to join us on these learning adventures.

We embark on a journey into learning about WISDOM. What does it mean to be wise? How can one become wise? On this day, children’s voices sing out the parable of the Wise Man and the Foolish Man.  They sing of the importance of building on the rock.  Adult voices join in. We all sing.

Then we build…

Will rock really prove stronger than sand?  The kids are skeptical. The sand seemed to be working so well.  I  must admit, the wet plaster of paris (our ‘rock’ material) had us all a bit worried.  I remember back to my failed object lesson two years ago at Easter with the Resurrection Rolls when our marshmellow {Jesus} was still soggy and very present inside our little biscuit tomb…

When we returned an hour later bringing the ‘storms of life,’ the results were dramatic.

Houses built on sand quickly crumble.  Those embedded in rock stand firm.

As I stand back, surveying kids – eyes wide with wonder, my attention couldn’t help but turn to these two grandmothers who’ve built their lives on THE Rock.  They raised their families with a determined focus to direct them and surrender them to Jesus.  In turn, Amanda and her husband have built their family upon the Rock.  Love for Jesus permeates and influences everything they do.  And now, as this latest ‘storm’ has hit, they’ve been battered, but not beaten down.  They have stood strong because they have built into an ever strong foundation that holds them up and supports them no matter what life throws their way…

Isn’t life like that?  Sometimes it seems easier to build our lives on sand – a good job, our health, financial security, even family.  Maybe we’re used to it, sometimes we may witness quick results as the buildings of our life quickly spring up and look so good.  Building upon the rock looks different, can appear to take more effort and may not seem strong at first glance.  But when the storms of life hit, that is when we quickly see the value in steadily and faithfully building our lives with Jesus and His Word as our foundation.

The legacy of these two grandmothers has left a lasting mark in the lives of their children and grandchildren.  I’m reminded to dig deep in to the Word, seeking God daily.  No matter what life throws our way, with God’s help we can not only continue to grow, but also have an impact on those around us.  If I had any doubts about this, watching Amanda and her family confirmed God’s loving care and miraculous work in not only holding us steady, but in healing the body and ultimately healing hearts of those we know and love!

Amanda was released to go home the day after we built these ‘houses’.  She’s been home for a week.  While she still has a long road to recovery, God has been performing a mighty work.  The doctors are amazed at her progress.  One hadn’t seen a recovery like this in the 5 years that he had worked in that stroke trauma center…  And every time Amanda feels weak, the Holy Spirit reminds her that her strength doesn’t come from within herself, but from God on whom she stands -rooted and built up.  You can read her own words on this storm and God’s provision in her life!

So we dig deep and continue to hide God’s Word in our hearts.  We remember, as this parable instructs (Matt 7:24-27) to not only be hearers of the Word, but doers as well.  As the Holy Spirit opens our eyes, we continue each day to look to Jesus and live our lives to bring Him glory and reflect His work in our hearts.  And so we continue our quest as wisdom seekers!

Seek Him.

Do as He directs.

And so, weather the storm…