The Storm
The water was completely still, only moving when she dipped the paddles. No breeze. So quiet. And it was very dark. She could just barely see figures moving in nearby boats; tall figures hugging and sobbing thanks; but most as still as the water, standing in their boats, staring.
For just minutes before they had all worried for their lives.
The storm had been furious -- throwing little boats from side to side, front to back. Torrential rain, driving wind, waves that threatened to turn over boats at any moment. With water coming from above and beneath, there was little hope of remaining afloat. All the little boats were in danger.
She had come out alone, without thinking of the dangers, borrowing a friend's father's very small fishing boat. She had listened to the Man by the Sea all day long and wasn't ready to let Him go. She felt a tugging at her heart. She wanted to be near Him. So she had slipped into the vessel, turned a few circles while remembering how to steer with paddles, and followed the bigger boat carrying the Teacher and His disciples. Many others did the same. Steering out into the lake, past the sunset, into the darkness.
When the storm came up, she panicked. She mustn't lose the boat, let alone her life. What had she done, following her heart...not listening to reason?
Long brown hair soaked, plastered to her cheeks; tears flowing, mingled with rain. At one point she screamed. Then tried to gather her wits -- bail and paddle, bail and paddle.
Where was He now? The Man with all the nice words. The Man who made her want to leave all to follow. Now she would die? Was he planning to rescue her?
She didn't know that He was sleeping.
Then, suddenly, through the darkness, she spotted his white robe, bright against all the other dark. He stood with arms outstretched, in the shape of a cross, powerful, confident. While the boat tossed and the wind whipped his curled hair. He spoke loud, commanding.
"PEACE, BE STILL."
And the wind and the waves obeyed Him.
So here she was, heartbeat slowly coming down, adrenaline subsiding. Listening, watching. Amazed. Thankful.
She knew she ought to return the boat to its place and return home to her worried parents and her bed. But she lingered. Wondering at the power she had seen displayed. Matchless power in wind and sea, calmed by three authoritative words.
Nature listened and obeyed, she figured mankind better do the same.
So she turned the boat toward home.
Where does your boat need to go today?
For just minutes before they had all worried for their lives.
The storm had been furious -- throwing little boats from side to side, front to back. Torrential rain, driving wind, waves that threatened to turn over boats at any moment. With water coming from above and beneath, there was little hope of remaining afloat. All the little boats were in danger.
She had come out alone, without thinking of the dangers, borrowing a friend's father's very small fishing boat. She had listened to the Man by the Sea all day long and wasn't ready to let Him go. She felt a tugging at her heart. She wanted to be near Him. So she had slipped into the vessel, turned a few circles while remembering how to steer with paddles, and followed the bigger boat carrying the Teacher and His disciples. Many others did the same. Steering out into the lake, past the sunset, into the darkness.
When the storm came up, she panicked. She mustn't lose the boat, let alone her life. What had she done, following her heart...not listening to reason?
Long brown hair soaked, plastered to her cheeks; tears flowing, mingled with rain. At one point she screamed. Then tried to gather her wits -- bail and paddle, bail and paddle.
Where was He now? The Man with all the nice words. The Man who made her want to leave all to follow. Now she would die? Was he planning to rescue her?
She didn't know that He was sleeping.
Then, suddenly, through the darkness, she spotted his white robe, bright against all the other dark. He stood with arms outstretched, in the shape of a cross, powerful, confident. While the boat tossed and the wind whipped his curled hair. He spoke loud, commanding.
"PEACE, BE STILL."
And the wind and the waves obeyed Him.
So here she was, heartbeat slowly coming down, adrenaline subsiding. Listening, watching. Amazed. Thankful.
She knew she ought to return the boat to its place and return home to her worried parents and her bed. But she lingered. Wondering at the power she had seen displayed. Matchless power in wind and sea, calmed by three authoritative words.
Nature listened and obeyed, she figured mankind better do the same.
So she turned the boat toward home.
Where does your boat need to go today?