After the Storm . . . Shifting Gears
Hello friends and Support Partners. It has been
a harrowing two weeks here in south Florida. We are blessed, in our area we
escaped the full fury of Hurricane Irma. Nevertheless, it was a scary and
exhausting event. We had some inconveniences with electricity and
communications systems out. Thankfully, in our area the electricity was
restored in record time, within two days. And yesterday, we finally had all of
our communications restored. But truly, I am not complaining! We are so very
grateful to have our homes and businesses! If you haven't donated to help all
those affected by the recent storms, and the current one churning in the
Atlantic, which has been devastating to all in its path, please consider
giving what you can via Samaritan's
Purse; they are a reputable Christian relief
organization.
As I was waking this morning, I thought about
the disciples when they were caught in that raging storm at sea. They were
fearful, as was I last week. But when the Lord appeared and spoke, his voice
calmed the waters and their souls. Through that storm they learned they could
rest in him, and learned to trust Jesus. And that is my prayer for all of us,
to rest in Jesus and trust him.
These past few years have been quite stormy
for my family and me. As most of you know, in October 2013 my husband suffered
a traumatic brain injury. We're almost 4 years into his recovery now. He still
has a long way to go. I often do not see that my faith is growing or that I'm
trusting God more through this storm. Yet, I know I couldn't have made it this
far had not the Lord been on our side! People often tell me how strong I am.
Yet, truly, they are seeing God working a miracle. Somehow he gives me the
strength to keep trusting him and moving forward. It reminds me of when I
drove a stick-shift car. When I was in my early 20's I had a VW Bug with a
ragtop convertible. I loved that car! Have you ever driven a stick-shift? When
you accelerate, you allow the gears to wind out before shifting to the next
gear. And when you hear that high-pitch squeal you know it's time to shift.
That's what it's been like these past few years: 1st,
2nd, 3rd year/gear---and I often hear that high-pitch squeal of "Lord, I
can't keep going!" Yet, somehow, God shifts the gear into high, then
higher, then higher still, whatever it takes to move his daughter forward. I trust and marvel that God will create yet another gear to keep me moving
forward through the many storms of life.
Are you experiencing a storm in your life? Call
on God, place your trust in him. He will give you the faith to shift into the
next gear to keep you moving forward too!
"When I am afraid, I will trust in you"
Psalm 56:3 (NIV).
Praise his name with me!
Your
webservant,
Sarah Keith <><
Do
you have a comment or suggestion? I'd love to hear from you!
Please respond to: sstn@sundayschoolnetwork.com
