My mother was only sixty two when she died of breast cancer.
Mom’s passing left me feeling as if I had been run over by a truck. The years struggling to rebuild our relationship, the prayers, and the conversations were suddenly over. I felt as if I were locked in a room with barely enough air to breathe. I sleepwalked through months of guilt and regret for what had never been.
This seemingly insignificant verse from Matthew’s gospel held a promise for me I had overlooked until I desperately needed it. And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I had often thought about God challenging me as He challenged Peter to get out of the boat. At other times I had been comforted knowing that just as Jesus reached out His hand to save Peter He would take my hand in the middle of a crisis.
But it was just as important for me to learn that Jesus wanted to help me back into the boat and restore calm when this storm passed. I do not know how it happened, but gradually light began shining in the dark places of my heart. I woke up to find that though I might never understand the why behind the pain, knowing God knew was enough
Sometimes we struggle to see God as more than just challenging or rescuing us. What a wonderful surprise awaits when we realize He is also delighted to help us back into the boat and calm our winds.
When the storms of life rage—and you feel as if you are drowning—get back into the boat.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Peter Caligiuri has served as a volunteer chaplain for more than twenty years at Allied Skilled Nursing and as a lay pastor for NCF church in Taylor, Pennsylvania, for sixteen years. Recently, he and his wife Nancy retired and moved to Florida. Together, they have two sons, six grandsons, and one granddaughter. Peter writes regularly for his blog and has self-published several titles related to nursing home ministry, as well as some collections of devotional readings.