|
|
|
|
di's Insite
Turbulent Waters
I went to church Sunday with one of my old friends who still lives in my parents neighborhood. The service, at a Baptist church, was very patriotic and the pews were packed. U.S. flags decorated the sidewalks and inside the church. The songs were our national ones--we even had the Pledge of Allegiance done by the congregation. A fireman stood to read a prayer he always carries in his helmet---he eyes full of tears, voice shaking as he read. The prayer asked for guidance and help as firemen went about their jobs of rescuing victims. The sermon was short, about the time Jesus walked across the water to the boat when the waves were tossing, and calmed the sea. The pastor talked about how we all have storms but they pass; how our lives change and there is changes all around us, but our heavenly Father never changes.
I suppose that gives us some security to know. It is necessary for us to change in order to grow and learn. God made us that way but sometimes I wonder just how many changes he wants from us? We all have limits that sometimes we hit and we just can't accept some change that would be for the best, but our "wanna" button is out of order! We say no when later we wished we had said yes.
I look at my impulsive nature and often wonder how many times have I missed an opportunity to grow as God intended for me by my own stubborn nature. Don't get me wrong--I ain't the best but am not feeling like I am the worst yet! However, even thinking like that could trip me up---are my own feelings too comfortable to see my own faults? Heck, I don't wanna see all my faults! I couldn't bear knowing how much I have yet to travel to reach the boat where the stormy waves calms forever. If it were me, walking across that sea to reach Jesus' hand, I can just see me sinking, dog-paddling, and knowing God's sense of humor with me, letting some big turtle raise up to sit me on his back! Some kind of personal message that would be!
It felt good being not just in church that morning, but sitting with fellow Americans who were experiencing the same feelings of sorrow and outrage of this recent attack on our soil. I know there were probably a mix of opinions about future intentions, but for that day, I felt the real united strength of the U.S.A. from fellow Americans who lead with prayer.
Like the fireman who carries a prayer in his helmet, let us remember to carry a prayer as the weeks pass for the safety of all.
And may God calm the turbulent waters and rescue us if we fail to walk across the sea to his boat.
(If you have a personal story to tell of your own experiences during the recent attack, please email di at di_txwriter@hotmail.com . All names will be withheld for privacy.)
Send me email
© 2001 di
|
|
