Calm the Sea

I try to live with open hands, to consent to the will and mercy of God as it comes to me in the events of life.  But, I have to admit, there are times when my hands shake a little.  This last week, during a 24-hour period, I found life especially hard.  I usually find that life comes at me with two or three hard things in a week.  This gives me time to deal with them one at a time which, while hard, is at least doable.  But this week I was hit with 5 really hard things in just 24 hours.  I was so overwhelmed that I just went and sat with God.  I handed each situation to Him and sat quietly in His presence–not saying anything–just being there with Him and allowing Him to settle my heart.  After about half an hour of just being with Him, I went about my day.  As He so often does, He brought a song to mind.  It works like this:  I usually discover a tune playing under all the words and actions of my day.  Eventually, the words of the song work their way to the front of my mind, and I realize that God is speaking directly to me.  This time it was words from a song by Selah called “Part the Waters/I Need Thee Every Hour.” I hadn’t heard it in a long time, but suddenly the words were in my mind.

Those five lines became the prayer for the rest of my day.  While still very sad by the circumstances of the day, I knew He was–and is–with me.  May these words speak to you in your times of trial.

Photo credit:  Julie Escobar