In the midst of the storm...

Most of us spent last night huddled around our television sets as a severe line of storms whipped through middle Tennessee.  The emergency alert first started sounding around 3:00 a.m. and kept most of us up for much of the next hour.  I hope you were able to weather the storm without too much difficulty and that you were able to return to bed for a few much-needed hours of rest.

Not all the storms that come are way appear in the atmosphere overhead.  In fact, most of the storms we face don't.  Most come from a variety of other sources.  Some face the storms which are caused by ill health.  An odd feeling in the gut suddenly erupts into a series of tests, meds, and keep-you-up-at-night concerns.  For others, the storm may be caused by too many bills and not enough pay.  January is one of those months when most of us feel the pinch of having too many days left in the month and too little cash in the bank.  The worry over finances brings stress and tension to us all.  Still for others, the storm is one of relationship.  Sometimes even the most essential, foundational relationships get strained or even broken.  Marriages break-up and friendships sometimes dissolve.  At times the storms are self-inflicted.  We make bad choices and poor decisions and the consequences begin to pile up and we are all but spent.  The list of other destructive storms can be long in our lives.  In the midst of all of our storms, we seek our "safe place..." that spot where we can run for cover, security, and maybe grace.

I recently read a quote from Pastor Rick Warren.  He wrote, "When the way is unclear, stop waiting to hear a voice and start searching for a verse."  He's right, you know.  If the Bible is indeed the "inspired Word of God," then doesn't it make sense to search the Word to discover how God longs to answer your prayers and relieve your fears?  So this morning, I stumbled across this verse, not by accident, but by God's providence.  Psalm 57:1 - "Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until destruction passes by."

I would strongly encourage you to find your "safe place" in shelter of His wings.  The storms will come.  He waits to offer refuge.

You asked for it...

About a month ago, I used the following poem that I had written in a sermon.  It apparently struck a chord with many of you and many have asked to have a copy.  So here it is.  I hope it is meaningful for those of you who have requested it.  It was written in the context of what it means to connect to each other in significant ways.


Just Walk With Me...

When I am sick...
Don't tell me how much worse your illness is compared to mine,
Don't pat me on the hand and tell me it's nothing to worry about,
Don't lose patience with me or offer some trivial, meaningless platitude,
Just walk with me.

When I am scared,
Don't tell me that my fears are somehow stupid or irrational,
Don't tell me to just pray or to simply shake it off,
Don't tell me what works for you when you are afraid,
Just walk with me.

When I am young,
Don't treat my thoughts or ideas as though they are without merit or value,
Don't lose patience with my uninformed and yet to be fully educated opinions,
Don't expect me to always behave like an adult,
Just walk with me.

When I am old,
Don't pity my weak limbs, failing mind, or slow gait,
Don't treat me like a child or act as though I am no longer important or relevant,
Don't patronize me or push me to the margins of significance,
Just walk with me.

When I have made my mistakes,
Don't add to the guilt I already feel,
Don't assume I will always be a failure,
Don't shun me or exclude me from your life,
Just walk with me.

When I am discouraged,
Don't act as though I've got some disease and ignore me,
Don't tell me me to simply "cheer up,"
Don't ignore my tears or belittle what I am going through,
Just walk with me. 

Jon R Roebuck
December 2012