"A Shelter in the Time of Storm"

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide.
A shelter in the time of storm.
(Y.G Charlesworth)

Sunday afternoon, September 14th, 2008, tropical storm strength winds blew through Cincinnati. Hurricane Ike had finished devastation in Houston and Galveston, Texas. But, like a temper throwing toddler the hurricane refused to be quieted until he spent his last ounce of strength further north. The last bellows of Ike’s winds reached all the way into Canada.

Through out the Midwest over a million homes and businesses lost power, more than 700,000 in the greater Cincinnati area alone. This is the biggest blackout in Cincinnati’s history. Five days later the number of customers without power in and around Cincinnati is still over 100,000. Roofers and tree removal services will have steady work for weeks.

As I watched the great pine in our front yard sway against the force of the wind I wondered about all the birds that nest in its branches. The answer came as a fresh gust of wind lifted the lower branches that usually sweep the ground.

Near the bottom of the trunk a dove pressed its little body firmly against the ground tucking its head under one wing. I watched from the safety of our home through the kitchen window as God provided one little bird a shelter from the storm.

How often does life bring storms into our lives that threaten to undo us? Tears at the deathbed of a loved one, helplessly watching a newborn baby struggle for life in an intensive care unit, lost friendships, the financial crunch of early retirement. Life can be hard and uncertain. It can seem down right harsh.

Don’t lose hope.

The Lord is our rock, our shelter, our refuge and safe retreat through the storms.