I Will Praise You in This Storm
 

Living in Florida is paradise to me.  I know it's a bit toasty at times, but to me, you can't get any better than here.  After all, where else can you mow your lawn in shorts during the winter months?  In Florida we can play golf year round, along with other outdoor activities you cannot do in the winter elsewhere.  We even get to put on our winter coats when the temperature dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  

The downside is we get our share of storms.  Yesterday, Tropical Storm Fay touched down on the western side of Florida and actually became stronger over land.  Textbooks say these storms are supposed to weaken on land, not Fay...  In any case, by 5PM Eastern, There was an actual eye that we can see.  This eye traveled as close as 20 miles from the city I live in.  Rain was falling, wind was howling, flooding occurred, even some trees fell.

As I stayed up to see the 11PM advisory, I prayed for safety from this storm.  I knew my daughters were worried about the flooding, and to be honest, I was worried about any damage to my home.  

When I woke up I thanked God for keeping us safe and my property safe.  Driving to work, as I was praying, a passage came to mind....

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On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?"  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

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The funny thing is, right after this passage came to mind, one of my favorite Casting Crowns songs came on the radio.  Here's the chorus....

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I will praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

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Amazing how God works.  Not only does He say to not worry and have faith, but that He will never leave our side, even through our storms.  So when your "Fay" comes into your life, remember the passage in Mark.  Then praise Him.  He will never leave our side.

Dear Jesus, You are amazing.  Thank you for You.  Thank you for being by my side. through the nice days and through my storms.

Nick Manzie