Brenda and I have spent the last eight weeks in chaos. It really came to fruition last Tuesday night. When we moved to Fritch, we actually stayed in Claude in an efficiency apartment. For eight weeks we have driven back and forth. Our belongings were scattered all over town in different trailers and storage areas. One of the things I missed most was my books. Those books have become like treasured friends. They were locked in a cargo trailer as we waited to find a home. We closed on a house this past Monday.
That behind us it was time to unload my books which were behind other boxes that waited to be unloaded to our house. Tuesday we unloaded close to 60 boxes of books in my office. There were boxes waist high in every available space. We barely had enough room to walk in and out on a narrow path between boxes. It was total chaos. I sat down at my desk on Wednesday morning in the chaos and let out a sigh. I could not function in it. I could not focus in such a chaotic environment. I needed some order. I resolved what had to be done. Books had to be shelved and boxes removed. It was a huge undertaking, but had to be done.
That chaos cannot compare to those who suffered severe hale storm damage in recent storms. I heard reports in places like Allison where the hales stones went completely through roofs. One person reported a four inch stone went completely through the roof into the garage and through the window of a parked car inside. Broken windows and damaged roofs were everywhere. Cars were totaled. That is chaos on a whole different level. Local areas were also severely impacted.
There are other people battling severe health problems like our friend from Seminole who was involved in a severe car wreck. His back was nearly snapped into and he barely survived. He spent weeks in ICU and is learning how to do everything again from walking, eating, and trying to return to normalcy. His family has been by his side each day. This is chaos on a whole different level.
There is also the chaos of death. The grief and strain are suffocating to some. It is hard to move forward. People get stuck in their grief. You can see it in the eyes of widows and widowers who had to learn to live without their spouse for decades. The initial days after someone dies are chaotic with funeral arrangements and getting all the affairs in order. This is hard for survivors.
In Mark 4:35-41 the disciples found themselves in chaos in the middle of a storm on boat. They were panicked, but Jesus slept soundly in the stern. They asked Jesus if He even cared if they were about to perish. Jesus got up and spoke to the storm, "Peace be still." He brought calm to their chaos.
Maybe you need Jesus to do that for you too. To bring calm to your chaos. Maybe it's just peace of mind trying to raise young children and keep up with chaotic schedules. Maybe it's trying to endure an especially grueling time at work. Perhaps it is just trying to make it through the next task and the next day. I pray for each of you that Jesus will speak calm to your chaos. To give you a little peace of mind and a lot of hope for better days ahead. He is faithful. I have found Him very trustworthy for the past four decades of my life. I pray He calms your storm and brings peace to your chaos.
