In the storm

Ever feel like the wind is just knocked out of you? Life on this earth can be so uplifting, adventurous, and fulfilling. Then there are times when this life really is hard living. It can be difficult just to breathe, to face a new day, to look up... That's it, really. To look up.

Even in the midst of our darkest hours defying the powers that be, we can... we must look up to our Creator. No, he wasn't sleeping in the midst of our storm. He is actually there with us. Holding us, grieving with us, giving us strength.

Today I had my two oldest children meditating on John 15. It is a familiar passage about abiding in the vine (Jesus). If He doesn't reside in us, then our lives go on empty and unchecked. BUT, when God lives in us, His strength, his peace, His hope, His love, His being lives through us. It is so hard to fathom the depths of His great love for us... that he would want to live in these imperfect bodies, imperfect souls, and yet, He does. He lives in us when we recognize our need for Him.

The psalmist David spoke to His soul, "where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth..." Soul, look up. Be encouraged; our God DOES see our pain, DOES feel our loss, and He DOES carry us through. Look up.