Don't focus on the building waves or let the pitching boat convince you otherwise.
Peace.
In the face of uncertain odds.
Our world is broken.
We see it. We taste it.
We stand and watch as it implodes, crumbling to dry powder at our feet.
This is not the safe, trustworthy world where I want to raise my children. I feel like one of the disciples, clinging to the side of the boat as it pitches towards the depths and then hurls toward another curling wave. The storm has wiped out the sky and the darkness has hungrily consumed the light. The next building wave screams in fury at even the thought of dry land.
Can our children only be raised in a glass greenhouse of perfect conditions?
How could Jesus possibly sleep in this storm?
But He awakens.
He stands tall, His outstretched arms illuminated by a flash of lighting against the black that strangles us all.
He rebukes the wind and says to the sea with authority.
"Peace! Be still!"
In the face of uncertainly and a violent storm raging around us: Peace!
When our mothering falls flat and we find ourselves among the most broken. When we show our children what repentance looks like, not from the crisp pages of a book but in real sticky life, lived out before their little eyes.
Into the darkness of today, the hate and division, and corruption on all sides set the stage once again.
"Peace! Be still!"
He has not abandoned us here. Our little ones are safe in this shuddering boat. Because Jesus is here.
As Moses' mother chose to trust and nestled that basket between the reeds.
As Hannah took her miracle boy back to the temple to stay.
As Abraham laid his promised child on the altar out of obedience.
Has God ever looked away? Has He ever abandoned His children?
The boat shudders under our clinched grip, but Jesus stands tall. His voice slices through the chaos.
"Peace! Be still!"
The waves fall back and dissolve into the now docile water, just a shimmering glittering mass. The ripping wind died in its last breath, now all eyes are on Jesus.
Don't focus on the building waves or let the pitching boat convince you otherwise.
He has not forsaken us here. In our hearts, in our homes, in our broken world today.
He stands tall and reaches toward our deepest moments and biggest fears, and He speaks peace.
"Peace! Be still!"
Spoken by the man who faced the fury of all fallen humanity, who would be our sacrificial lamb.
Only He could bring it.
And He did.
About the author: Melissa Troyer is a stay at home mom with five beautiful children who keep her busy and constantly remind her to get down on her knees, both to laugh with them and to pray for them. Melissa is happily married to the love of her life, Daniel, who is currently studying full time to become a Physician's Assistant.
Melissa has learned to lean against the Father in seasons of loss and to dance through the dust in times where hope is renewed. She is passionate about worshipping in each season and often finds herself weaving words encouraging others to do the same. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook. You can find more of her writing on her blog, listed below
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