The skies got dark, but it never stormed.
On a family beach trip this summer, we were sitting out by the ocean and the skies got dark. The wind picked up. The people who were sitting around us, started packing up their things to go inside, it seemed like a storm was iminent.
But, my hubby and I, stayed put. When our kids inquired if we were going to go inside and beat the storm, we pointed out that there were parasailers in the air. There were also two snorkeling boats with snorkelers in the water. There was even a couple of boats with guys selling ice cream and peanuts, that were continuing to do business.
We were simply tourists. We knew what the signs of a storm were, but those people were sea people. They are on the ocean everyday, close to year round. Their livelihood comes from the ocean. They have sea wisdom that those of us who just pass through from time to time, can’t possibly have.
They never headed for shelter and neither did we. The wind whipped up. The skies looked threatening for a little while, but the storm went around us. We didn’t get a drop. It wasn’t very long before those folks who panicked and ran for cover, had to drag all of their beach stuff back out.
I thought about the missed storm, long after our beach trip. I thought about how the skies in our daily lives can get awfully dark sometimes. I thought about how easy it can be, to panic and run for the hills. Fear can be a powerful force that can invade our every thought, if we allow it to. Fear can steal our peace.
But, I also thought about the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who have been through storms before, and like those sea people at the beach, know when to take cover and know when to stand fast.
When I think about the people I know, there are some that just do life well. They have trials and troubles like everyone else, but they handle them in different ways. How do they do it?
They keep their eyes focused on heaven and they retain a peace that can only come from God. They know that the true battle is always spiritual and they spend a lot of time in prayer. The storms come and go, but they weather them in a way that is different than so many people do.
A missed summer storm reminded me to not only seek out spiritual sea people, but to seek to become one myself. Perhaps you needed reminding too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂