Where is your faith?

The weather on the northcoast of Ohio has been extreme during the past few days....

Extreme heat

Extreme humidity

Extreme winds, during some extreme thunderstorms....

As many of you know, I am an avid sailor. Most days I would rather be out on the unbriney blue (term of endearment for Lake Erie) than anywhere else.. But not this week.

I consider the weather conditions.... heat advisory...consistent likelihood of severe thunderstorms. I consider my own capabilities... I tend to function less effectively in extreme heat. And despite the pouting lower lip ("But I WANT to sail!) I adapt my plans and turn to a different course that will be a wiser investment of my time and energy.

Truth be told, sometimes I have fairly specific hopes and dreams. When my expectations don't align with "reality", my emotions and thoughts can be tossed and turned about...yes, even stormy. Sometimes the agitation takes on a life of its own...and becomes self-perpetuating. The more I cling to "my way" the more I wander from the peace and safety provided by gratitude...and contentment.

In other words, the more I fight with my surroundings the less effective and functional I become. I risk making rash choices.

But then, (Thank God!) Wisdom kicks in... there is a better way.... and faith draws me into the presence of the one who can calm all those stormy thoughts and emotions.

Regardless of the situation, when we enter the chaos of doubt...or fear...or disappointment...or uncertainty...or (the list goes on!) there is a consistent voice calling us to focus upon the sure source of wisdom, and peace, and safety.

Sure, it may require us to surrender our ideas of how to make it through whatever storm we are facing (not an easy thing to do)... but after all, where is our faith?