We live here in this home with these children and we live here under the threat of flash flooding. The constant threat of a flash flood. The flooding flows through this home so rapidly that waters have us gaping and grasping for air before we even know what has descended upon us. The waters whip wild and the torrent of waves is quite literally breath-taking. And some moments I think I might possibly drown under the weight of the waters of her flash and gush of flooding.
She breaks loose suddenly and the sunny day turns dark and the flood flashes and the torrent of anger and the harsh words flow faster then we can reason. The dam breaks loose inside for some unforeseen reason and we begin to clamor to keep heads above water.
I know her history, some of it. I know why she cracks but in the face of rage and wrath we fight hard to push back the darkness that threatens to swallow her whole.
The world has been cold to these young souls and only the hand of God can thaw the stone ice that rises up within them. The cold of the stone ice is biting and bitter and we pray and believe that the fire of the Spirit will warm their souls.
As the flood flashes this is the Truth we cling to ~ the Rock, our firm Foundation.
When the waters gush in we cling tightly to our ~ "God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my Savior, Thou savest me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:3)
We throw arms around the Rock and we reach back into the waters of rage and violence and we grab their arms as they flail and thrash about in the dark waters that tear at their souls and cling to their bodies to drag them under. We grab a tight hold of a wrist at the base of the tight fist that clenches in loss and anger, the fist that pounds the water out fear and confusion. And with much prayer and fasting, and the washing of the Word we slowly straighten slender fingers and unwind the wound fist and we lay their open palms upon the Rock so they too can feel the firm Foundation. And they do feel, they feel the Rock ~ the Rock of our ages and the ages past and the ages to come. They feel His strength and the torrent begins to subside and I feel a sliver of light warm my soul, a slice of grace lays across her face and I know they have begun to find firm ground again.
And for now the flood does not flash, for now they stand on solid ground but I know I will hear the crash of angry waves again, they will gush wild and angry and that is alright. No, that is far better then alright for when mighty waters threaten to capsize us all then I know that sad and hurting hearts are preparing to lay open palm upon the solid Rock. And that is the intent, that is the purpose, that is why we do what we do; that clenched fists will grasp the scarred hand and eternities will be eternally changed.
I am learning to live peacefully and contentedly amidst this flooding for not so long ago in my not so distant past I was the flash flood and His people threw my a lifeline and dragged my rebelliously clenched fist onto solid Rock. And the winds begin to calm and the waters slip into a steady, slow rhythm and the Son shines radiant upon my face and I look back into the angry crashing waves of our lost land and look for another clenched fist that is crying out for a firm foundation to rest their wearied soul upon.
We have one purpose to fulfill as we labor and journey upon this lost land ~ to glorify our Lord and Savior and the Scriptures promise that as we glorify the one, true Savior then He will draw all men to Him. And clenched fists open to hearts laid bare and the lost and drowning find rest for their weary souls upon the Rock; the Rock that spans the ages, the Rock that created the ages, the Rock that is the ages.
With flash flood warnings blaring in our ears and rattling in our heads we race towards six more fists clenched tightly but we gladly race on knowing we race upon the Rock.
She breaks loose suddenly and the sunny day turns dark and the flood flashes and the torrent of anger and the harsh words flow faster then we can reason. The dam breaks loose inside for some unforeseen reason and we begin to clamor to keep heads above water.
I know her history, some of it. I know why she cracks but in the face of rage and wrath we fight hard to push back the darkness that threatens to swallow her whole.
The world has been cold to these young souls and only the hand of God can thaw the stone ice that rises up within them. The cold of the stone ice is biting and bitter and we pray and believe that the fire of the Spirit will warm their souls.
As the flood flashes this is the Truth we cling to ~ the Rock, our firm Foundation.
When the waters gush in we cling tightly to our ~ "God, my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my Savior, Thou savest me from violence." (2 Samuel 22:3)
We throw arms around the Rock and we reach back into the waters of rage and violence and we grab their arms as they flail and thrash about in the dark waters that tear at their souls and cling to their bodies to drag them under. We grab a tight hold of a wrist at the base of the tight fist that clenches in loss and anger, the fist that pounds the water out fear and confusion. And with much prayer and fasting, and the washing of the Word we slowly straighten slender fingers and unwind the wound fist and we lay their open palms upon the Rock so they too can feel the firm Foundation. And they do feel, they feel the Rock ~ the Rock of our ages and the ages past and the ages to come. They feel His strength and the torrent begins to subside and I feel a sliver of light warm my soul, a slice of grace lays across her face and I know they have begun to find firm ground again.
And for now the flood does not flash, for now they stand on solid ground but I know I will hear the crash of angry waves again, they will gush wild and angry and that is alright. No, that is far better then alright for when mighty waters threaten to capsize us all then I know that sad and hurting hearts are preparing to lay open palm upon the solid Rock. And that is the intent, that is the purpose, that is why we do what we do; that clenched fists will grasp the scarred hand and eternities will be eternally changed.
I am learning to live peacefully and contentedly amidst this flooding for not so long ago in my not so distant past I was the flash flood and His people threw my a lifeline and dragged my rebelliously clenched fist onto solid Rock. And the winds begin to calm and the waters slip into a steady, slow rhythm and the Son shines radiant upon my face and I look back into the angry crashing waves of our lost land and look for another clenched fist that is crying out for a firm foundation to rest their wearied soul upon.
We have one purpose to fulfill as we labor and journey upon this lost land ~ to glorify our Lord and Savior and the Scriptures promise that as we glorify the one, true Savior then He will draw all men to Him. And clenched fists open to hearts laid bare and the lost and drowning find rest for their weary souls upon the Rock; the Rock that spans the ages, the Rock that created the ages, the Rock that is the ages.
With flash flood warnings blaring in our ears and rattling in our heads we race towards six more fists clenched tightly but we gladly race on knowing we race upon the Rock.
No comments:
Post a Comment