The storms that have ravaged the Kansas City area the past few weeks have left some homeless, others are suffering with water either rising in their basement or dripping from the ceiling, while the majority has been affected with grass that is in definite need of a trim.  The storms which raged through the neighborhoods in the predawn hours woke many of us up as the thunder associated with the light show rumbled and the rain drops pelted against the windows.  

Today's gospel reading talks about a storm the disciples experienced while out on the lake.  Imagine with me how earlier the disciples and Christ were sailing along, enjoying the cool breeze coming off the water and the solitude away from all of the crowds.   Maybe the disciples even tossed out their nets to see if they could catch a few fish for dinner.  As the vessel was rocking back and forth, Christ decided to take a nap and curled up in the back of the boat.  As the day progressed, the dark clouds rolled in and pretty soon, the calm turned into a storm.  The waves grew in height and force.  The sky turned dark, the rain began to fall torrentially, the disciples brought down the sail and tried to row towards shore, and during all of this, Christ slept peacefully.  

When the disciples couldn't take the waves, wind, and the pelting rain any longer, they woke their Master.  They asked, "Don't you care if we drown?" and with that, Christ rose and commanded the winds and waves to be still.  And instantly they were.  I wonder what passengers in other boats on the Sea of Galilee thought when one minute they were wondering if their boat would capsize and the next everything was calm and peaceful.  

Why is it that Christ never awakened?  How could He be peacefully sleeping when the boat was being tossed back and forth and He was getting drenched from the waves crashing into the boat?  What lesson was He trying to teach the disciples, and more importantly, what lesson is He teaching us?

Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen.  One can surmise that they had been in situations like this before and had come through the storms all right and surely thought they could do it again.  Like the disciples, we also think at times we can do something on our own.  We don't need to bother God to help us.  We think we have everything under control.  And when the situation gets so stormy, we then ask God to step in and bale us out of the mess we are in.  

God is not terrified of the recession that has impacted many throughout the world.    He's not frightened by the roaring winds or the bolts of lightening we've witnessed these past few weeks.  He's not afraid of the news a doctor shares with a patient about the disease taking control of their body.  Instead He is there, always with us, weathering the storms of our life and eager to bring us peace and comfort.  

What storm is in your life today that you can give to Jesus to calm?  I pray that you ask God to give you the peace only He can give.

Enjoying the ride,