August Reflections Before the Storm

The Calm Before the Storm

Great's had brain surgery. Great Papa thought he might have strep - but it was another virus. I've had kidney stones. Papa fell and separated his shoulder. Grandson fell down the stairs and broke his leg again that was already in a cast from 2 other broken bones 3 weeks ago. Grandaughter dropped a knife that fell and sliced her thigh.

So, these are the photos before the storm hit: 

Amazingly calm!

Peaceful.

Serence.

Quiet.

Mild.

Sky.

Even looking directly into the sun feels warm, secure and comforting.  Absolutely, no evidence of the turmoil ahead.

Our INSPIRATIONAL FAMILY FOCUS is from Pres. Howard W. Hunter: 

"All of us have seen some sudden storms in our lives. A few of them, though temporary like these on the Sea of Galilee, can be violent and frightening and potentially destructive. As individuals, as families, as communities, as nations, even as a church, we have had sudden squalls arise which have made us ask one way or another, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” And one way or another we always hear in the stillness after the storm, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

I suppose we have all had occasion, individually or collectively, to cry out on some stormy sea, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” And so cried Mary Ann Baker.

...Later, as something of a personal testimonial and caring very much for the faith of others who would be tried by personal despair, she wrote the words of the hymn we have all sung, “Master, the Tempest Is Raging.” May I share it with you?

Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.





Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?





Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!





Then this beautiful, moving refrain:



The winds and the waves shall obey my will;


Peace, be still! Peace, be still!


Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey my will.


Peace, be still! Peace, be still!


They all shall sweetly obey my will.


Peace, peace, be still!





Too often, I fear, both in the living of life and in the singing of this hymn, we fail to emphasize the sweet peace of this concluding verse:



Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast."

Linger, Oh, blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore.

(Hymns, no. 106.)