01.23.2026 | Ordinary Friday

​The Calm Before the Storm
 
Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
 
Isaiah 25:4
“You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.”
 
The little Doodle girl and I went for a shorter morning walkabout in the neighborhood on this frigid day as we await the coming winter storm. The sunrise was spectacular, but it did little to warm us as we quickly did what needed to be done. Now the little Doodle is curled up in momma’s chair while I sit with a hot cup of coffee, trying to feel my toes again.
 
I do not handle the extreme cold very well. The arthritis in these old bones begins to ache, and I am content to sit under a warm blanket in front of the fireplace with some coffee or hot tea. Whether I like it or not, the storm is coming. I do not think any of us enjoy the trials of winter.
 
But we can be certain of this. No matter how long the storm lasts, there is a loving Creator caring for us. The storms will not last forever. The skies will clear. The sun will return and warm us once again. It is difficult to appreciate joy without having lived through the stormy times.
 
The world feels upside down these days. It seems as if we are constantly fighting one storm or another. Hatred, fear, and anger swirl around us like bitter winds. Yet I never want to forget that I have lived through storms before and come out the other side. Maybe with a few scars, but also a bit stronger.
 
There is a country song that says something like, “If you are going through hell, keep on moving.” And that is what we do. We keep moving. We keep praying. We keep doing what we can to change our little part of the world for the better. The storms will come, but we will keep on moving.
 
For now, I am joining the little Doodle girl and resting with a cup of coffee, some good music, and a bit of calm before the storm.
 
A Benediction for the Storm Watchers
 
May warmth find us in small and faithful ways,
in a loyal dog curled close and in the comfort of a familiar chair.
May we remember the storms we have already survived and trust the grace that carried us through.
And may peace settle over our homes like a soft snowfall.