Not A Care

“The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."” 
– Luke 8:24-26 NIV

Not a care in the world…

Really that’s how Princess Mali was (she’s been on my mind a lot lately). Not a care in the world.
My girls grew up around her, crawling on her, pulling on her, playing with her, teasing her, loving her. And Mali would just lay there or sit there and take it all - usually with a smile on her Malamute/Labrador Retriever mixed face.

And she lived her dog life that way… for the most part.

Unless, of course, a thunder storm blew in… or it was the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve, and there were fireworks going off around the house.

When a storm would blow in, Mali would just sort of glaze over. Her heart would race and she would freak out. In those moments, she would somehow find a way to get back behind something or in something (or both) that would be considered impossible for a dog her size to get in or behind.

With Mali paralyzed in fear, Amy and/or I would do what we could to calm her… we’d hold her and talk to her… but her fear was overwhelming and ultimately led to her demise.

In today’s life… in this political season… in the Economic state of this world… with wars and skirmishes in and around Israel and Ukraine … and money tightening everywhere, one can see how we all can be overwhelmed.

In God’s Word, there are a number of times that we see the Disciples overwhelmed with fear.

One was after the feeding of the 5000 men (women and children weren’t counted back then) and at some time between 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning, Jesus walked on the water toward them. Not knowing who or what was walking toward them on the water, fear overwhelmed them… with Peter the only Disciple willing to step out of the boat only to lose His focus on Jesus, and thrash around in fear in the water.

And Jesus asked, “Oh you of little faith. Why did you doubt?”

Another time was when Jesus and the Disciples were again in a boat and a storm blew in. The Disciples bustled about… fishermen fearful for their lives… fearful of the storm.

They were terrified!

And Jesus slept.

I want a peace like that… to sleep without a care, even in the midst of a storm.

Then Jesus was awakened by the Disciples… their fears nearly out of control… overwhelmed and paralyzed in fear…

Until Jesus calmed the storm.

As we face life head on, I’m learning that sometimes Jesus calms the storms.

And sometimes, as with Princess Mali, He just calms me.

Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem