It's the Fam!

Family.....such a precious word. The Hall family! You know the signs you see sometimes that you can hang in your home? "All because two people fell in love"! What a privilege to raise a family of five children together for God! 

Family....struggles sometimes. Yes, our family had and has them too. Misunderstandings, irritations, disagreements. But in the midst of all of those times were also the precious times. The times of introducing a new little one to the other kids. Family vacations with all seven of us stuffed into a minivan with all the ski equipment, coolers of food, luggage. No one could move; we were so packed in like sardines. Family game times. Birthdays. Weddings. It's a family....living life together. Walking together in the grace of life. Learning, growing, loving no matter what.

Losing Bud to glory was a horrible shock to all of us as you can imagine. Yet in the midst of our grief, we  have experienced the deep love of God along with His never-ending grace. Times for all of us to be together are becoming very rare now that some are married and have moved away from home. The week following Bud's death, we were all here together. We laughed, teased, played games and tricks on each other, helped, and had a lot of fun.....all in the midst of our tears and sorrow. How can the two be mingled together? Joy and grief. I don't know except that is what happened. We are a family. How I thank God for this sweetness!

Waves Teach Us Your Ways

"Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,

They see the works of the LORD,
And His wonders in the deep.


For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.

They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.


They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.

Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.


He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.


Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.


Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"
Psalm 107:23-31


It's like the author of this psalm was looking through a telescope, down the centuries, to the story of Jesus calming the storm in the Sea of Galilee as recorded in Mark 4. 



"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.


And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.


And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?


And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?


And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Mark 4:35-41

Stormy wind kicks up...
The waves of the sea are lifted up...
Down again to the depths....
Troubled soul melting...
Cry out to the Lord, "Help us, Lord"...


Does that describe your heart as you ride through the storm? And Jesus is sleeping! Does He not care? Is He even aware?


"Why, Lord, why?" 


"To show you My power, child."


"Peace, be still." 


And suddenly the wind is stilled.
The waves cease their roaring.
We are brought into safe harbor.
And our hearts rejoice 
so that we cry out,
"Thank you, Lord! How did You do that? Who are You that the winds and waves obey You?"


What is the most recent storm you've experienced? Did you cry out to God? Did you thank Him for bringing His peace in the midst of it? Do you fear this awesome, holy God?


Anyone who has been saved for a few years has had storms....some are little squalls, some are hurricanes that stir up waves so big, they tear up the beach and scour it clean. And more storms will come....for certain. Will you cry out to God for help and then stand in awe at His power?


And give thanks?


"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,And for His wonderful works to the children of men!"