Sister in the Storm
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples , if you have love for one another." John 13:35
Real MOMent
Recently, severe thunderstorms have been a normal occurrence in my local weather. Each afternoon (like clockwork) the sky gets darker, the wind picks up, thunder rumbles, streaks of lightning flash across the sky and then…the rain.
I have never been bothered by a storm. In fact, I have always found them majestic and a perfect background to a nap. However, the same cannot be said for my oldest daughter–who with just the mention of a storm, turns into a ball of anxiousness.
A few nights ago, we were waiting for another storm to pass through. The louder the thunder roared and the lightning cracked, I knew it would not be long before I heard her call for me or feel her cozy up beside me on the sofa. While I really don’t like that she feels this way, I am happy to know that she feels safe when she is with me.
Another BOOM and she still didn’t call for me OR come downstairs, SO I decided to go and check on her.
When I reached the top of the stairs, my oldest daughter was in her bedroom, surprisingly relaxed– laying in the comforting presence of her younger sister.
MOMent of Clarity
One of my favorite stories in The Bible is Jesus Calms the Storm.
“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” (24) “The disciples went and woke him, saying ‘Lord, save us! We're going to drown.’ “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:23-27
The part that I connect to is the reaction of the disciples. I can imagine I would be the same way. If I’m keeping it all the way #real, I would even question whether or not I would even be on the boat in the first place. Even in the literal presence of Jesus, their human nature overtakes them. As a mom, I can definitely relate to being awakened from a nap (that I really need) for some foolishness! :)
Sometimes we get hints that storms are coming, a prelude of thunder and lightning or a few drops of rain; other times, storms arise suddenly and they can be ferocious. I am a witness to His glory and goodness in both situations. He is available. Jesus didn’t brush off the disciples when they woke him up from his sleep. He didn’t minimize their fear even if He didn’t understand it. He does not tell them to figure it out when they call Him– He responds.
In the post “The Helper that Refuses Help”, Rashida, Real Mom blog co-author, writes:
“If the Word of God puts so much emphasis on Christians helping others, then I must believe that God has and will put me in situations where the help that I need might come from other believers in Christ who He has allowed to cross my path.”
We need a sister in the storm–but we will not always know who the right sister needs to be.
This MOMent has taught me (reminded me) that I will never be all my daughter needs, she needs God's hand in her life just as much as I need Him in mine. She was blessed with a sister and in this moment, that is exactly who was used to help comfort her through this storm.
I pray that God will continue to bless her with sisters along her life’s journey. I pray God will bless all of our lives with sisters who will stand with us in the storm to hold our hands, pray with us, pray for us, support our needs (even when we don’t know what they are), speak with love and honesty without judgment, and comfort us with words that still the waters and calm the winds during the storms of our own lives.
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