Photo and Commentary ©2024 by Darren Milam
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Just this last weekend, at least in our local area, we had some strange weather for this time of year. The temperature outside was in the mid 70’s, but on Saturday night and then again on Sunday afternoon, there were wind, rain, power outages, and even bouts of hail. When I was outside on Sunday morning, I witnessed two different branches breaking off two separate trees in our yard, so there was a bit of damage. Again, during this time of year, we don’t normally see this type of storm, even small ones. One of the concerns I had was our garden. As the tomatoes and flowers are still growing, the last thing I wanted was bad weather taking out these flowers and vegetables.
Life is full of sunny days that are interrupted with some sort of storm. How do we manage through these changes? How do we stay focused on the ‘right’ things? The short answer is, WE don’t. WE need to look to Jesus and how He will bring us through these storms. I’m not saying it’s always easy or the first thing we think of. Just think of the disciples, when they were physically with Jesus, out on a boat and a storm catches them off guard.
Matthew 8:23-27
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 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. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
As you can see, even the disciples were concerned. Maybe, like us at times, they were first attempting to figure out how to manage through the storm on their own. Eventually, they did go to Jesus, just like we should anytime we are facing a difficult situation. We should also have faith that the outcome will be the correct outcome. Notice I didn’t say, the outcome will always be what we want or think is correct? It’s not our way, it’s God’s way. Of course, God’s way may be our ‘our’ way as well, but the critical part is having faith God’s way is the correct way. He will get us through the storms we face, as He’s with us during the sunny days as well as the stormy days.
These are the images: one of the branches that crashed down, the tomato plants that were flattened, and then once the storm had moved away. As the wind continued, the streaking clouds were a welcome sight as the storm moved out of our immediate area. Luckily, I was able to prop the plants back up with a little help with twine and readjusting the tomato cages. The branch didn’t fall on anything except the ground. All was safe, as God provided.