You may have heard in the media that the Midwest has been suffering greatly from drought. Lack of rain has worried the farmers of Nebraska and surrounding states. Corn in Nebraska, which should by now be as high “as an elephants eye,” is only about two feet above the ground.

    However, in the last few weeks, we have had some torrential downpours that have made our middays seem like nights. The rain has come down so hard that sewers throughout cities have not been able to handle the onslaught. Creeks and rivers are threatening to overflow. People who live near them are heeding warnings to be ready to move at any time, lest more rain threatens to flood their homes.

    Early this morning, for example, the storm which hit Omaha woke me at 1:30 a.m. It is not often that a storm awakens me. I’m a pretty sound sleeper and have managed not to hear some of the worst storms that have come. But last night was different. The lightening was so repetitive and bright that it seemed to hit the earth right outside my window. The thunder was so loud and frequent that it literally vibrated the house in which I reside. As a matter of fact, I got out of bed to pray for my safety and that of others in the path of the storm.

    It seems that the torrential rains have helped the drought-stricken areas of the Midwest, at least somewhat. I don’t know if the rain came in time to help the farmers much, but at least it has to be of some help.

    I often see a correlation between what happens in nature and what happens in our spiritual lives.

    Remember when Jesus was sleeping in the boat and a huge storm arose? The Apostles became very frightened, as it seemed to them that they were about to drown. They woke Jesus begging Him to save them. Jesus chided them with the words, "O ye of little faith!" Jesus then commanded the high winds and waves to calm down and be still. They obeyed. (Nature obeys God!) Even the Apostles were taken aback that even the sea and winds did the bidding of the Lord!

    In our lives storms come. They may be in the form of the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, a relational rejection, the loss of health, a serious misunderstanding or accident. Whatever it may be, our lives seem to be blown and tossed by the winds of life and God seems to be “sleeping.” But He is not! God is always aware of our trials and needs. The storms of life must never cause us to lose Faith in God.

    He has told us that not a hair would fall from our heads about which He would not know. No matter what life deals out to us, no matter how rough the waters are or how hard the wind blows, if Jesus is in our boat we have nothing to fear.

    Let us seek Him and His Will in everything. Nothing else matters!

    God bless you!

Sister Mary Lucy Astuto

July 7-9, 2000
volume 11, no. 118
Sr. Lucy's GETTING TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER column

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