storms of life

Human experience includes those dangerous and difficult times of dislocation and disorientation when the sky does fall and the world does come to an end. We are not meant for situations of disorientation. We are mostly inclined to look back, to grasp for old equilibria, to wish for them and to deny that they are gone… The countermovement of reorientation comes, says Paul Ricoeur, through a representation of reality which is genuinely new and has the mark of gift. The reorientation has both continuities with and discontinuities from what has been. But the accent is on the new. It is a surprise. In our resistance, we do not expect to be surprised. The new situation is not an achievement or a working out of the dislocation, but it is a newness that comes to one. It comes as miracle wrought from outside the situation.  
~ Walter Brueggemann, Psalms and the Life of Faith 

I seem to be painting hearts lately.  In all sizes, shapes, and colors. My daughter saw this one and said it looked like a heart tornado.  Interestingly last Sunday's message was on storms. Luke 8:22-25.  Here are just a few bullet points.

Storms come to teach us and change us

Only God can calm a raging torrent 

A storm is to bring something new in our life

Walk through the very heart of the storm - emerging a different person

Storms are a gift 

They usually do not feel like gifts in the middle them, but I can trust God is in the storm with me.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

Is 43:1-2

Grace and Peace