When I was young, I recall watching storms move in and the closer they got the less I could prepare for their coming. I was raised on a farm and especially during the haying season we would keep on baling the hay even as we saw dark clouds forming in the west. We would go as fast as we could, finally pushing filled wagons under shelter or hastily throwing tarps over them to keep the hay dry. But finally, the storm would arrive and all we could do is watch and pray. What would be happening was now out of our control.

Controlling what makes up our lives, our livelihood, our finances, in fact our destiny, is a value we pride in our Western society. From little on we are encouraged to take control of our lives, to lay out plans of success.  Libraries are full of self-help books, many of the quite helpful.

Today, given the realities of the pandemic we are living in, it is hard to relinquish the control that can be so much of who we are. I struggle with this and perhaps you do as well. Thinking back on the storm and the farm, it was frightening to be sure but there was also learning that came with it. Some, for sure, was to quit earlier and get to safer and drier places earlier, but other learnings were to know that we are not always in control of everything around us. The storm was an opportunity to learn things about ourselves, and things about our God. After the storms passed the question was will we take what we learned into our future?

That’s our challenge today. We are asked to do all things that are helpful to us while we are not in control of everything that is coming our way.  Remember, our God is with us. We are in His Hands. This storm will pass. Keep caring for yourself and those around you while resting in the arms of our gracious God.

Prayer: Into your hands O God I commit myself, trusting in your loving care. Amen.

Pastor Jerry