When Storm’s Rise. Where Big Meaning is found in Small Words. And a Children’s Story.

Some days.  Big words don’t flatter.  Like at 6:00 a.m.  Three girls.  With three different problems.  Needing coddling.  And talking.  While, stomach refuses coffee.

Some days.  The King James Version, sounds like Greek and Hebrew. More than English.  Brain fogged with counseling.  And phone calls.  And court dates for kids that keep on needing….

So much.

Like non-stop talking.  At 6:00 a.m. in the morning.

Some days.  Devotions are better done.  Before the sun wakes.  Cause I can just rest and read.  And I don’t have to think.

And, some days.  God’s Word is captured much more easily in pictures, and lessons made for children…than for grown ups.  Educated.  Supposedly.  Mature…..like me.

Some days.  I just……need it simple.

Some days. I need time for myself….to get lost inside someone else’s story.

Some days.  Jesus Word is my only refuge.  And I find myself there.  This morning.

The Jesus Storybook Bible, where Every Story Whispers His Name, open on my lap.  A six year old there.  Wrapped with sleepy arms.

This day.  Words ringing loud and clear.  “Jesus climbs into the boat.”….“Halfway across the water, out of nowhere comes a storm.”…..“The boat was blown and buffeted and tossed and turned”…..

“And Jesus was asleep.”

This day. I can relate.  6:00 a.m.  It seems I am awake.  And the world is sleeping.

Even Jesus.

Have you ever been through a storm and it feels like Jesus is sleeping?

This day. I am not just reading.  But am in the story.  In the storm.  As eyes become the rain of….“I can’t do this anymore.”

This day.  I continue reading.  When moving forward is the only way to go….especially when the story is not done yet…..

And they yell….“Wake up!  Quick, Jesus!”….“Don’t you care?”

And this day. I have heard that yell.  From so many around me.  The cry from those needy.  Wanting me to be their Savior.  When the boat is sinking and I can’t even save.  Myself.

This day.  I listen.  Keep reading.  Wait and anticipate.  The ending.

And I hear it….

In a single word……

A moment….

A breath that many struggle to hear because they were not listening….“Hush”….

And the storm stops.  Completely.

For the waves recognized the voice of Jesus.  Do we?

This day. My all important purposes.  Become empty.  Compared to the Storm Stopper. The Earth Creator.  The Water Walker.

And I find.  I am empty.  Some days.  And that’s o.k.

Some days.  Even great men of God get frantic when they see waves roaring up.  Surrounding.

Some days. We must take whatever time it takes.  In Children’s Books.  Or through children.  Or through any means that God wants to speak to us….

To listen.

“Did you forget who I am?”….“Did you believe your fears, instead of me?”

And this day.  Early devotions.  Penciled pictures with a six year old hoping eagerly to hear a story…..

Becomes. My story.

And this day.  That’s all right.

Because Some days.  God’s love is so great…..

He won’t let us fear in the storm.  Providing peace surpassing our understanding.  So that, we can remembering who He was. And is.  And that He is God….we are not. 

And some days.  This day.

That’s enough.

*  The authors of this book in no way solicited, promoted, or influenced me to write about this book. The Jesus Storybook Bible was independently selected from my own home collection. It is one of the regular reads in our home.  We love the colorful photos and easy to read conversational style of this version.  We suggest this Bible to anyone with families of small children.  Twenty years of parenting and it remains one of our favorites!

(Linking with Laura @ Faithfilled Fridays, Barbie @ Freshly Brewed Sundays