When we moved into our 82 year home in 2021, it was my first experience living in a pier and beam house. The previous owner had updated many features to this lovely old home, including most of the plumbing (without insulating it).
Needless to say, above ground pipes are at a much higher risk of freezing, so when the first hard freeze came about the following year, we did not even consider the “drip” method.
Instead, we chose an inconvenient, yet 100 percent effective plan of action. We simply cut off the water supply at the city meter, and drained all of the pipes.
My hubby made sure we had plenty of water stored up for the next couple of days to wash a few dishes, flush toilets, etc. A minor inconvenience to say the least, when the alternative is replacing busted pipes.
So, when faced with the Arctic freeze last month we already had a plan of action. But, the difficult part was determining when to cut off the water, we wanted to hold out as long as we could.
At the same time, the forecasted temps were not just hovering around freezing. When you start dipping into the twenties, with an even lower wind chill, it does not take long for exposed pipes to freeze.
We kept checking the hard freeze timelines for our area, but we all know that weather predictions are simply an educated guess. It also differed depending on which source you were listening to.
Therefore, I downloaded all of the local news station apps, and signed up for the current updates and alerts to pinpoint the arrival. For several days, I became totally engrossed in tracking this Arctic storm advancing in our direction.
Like the City of Atlanta waiting on Sherman to invade, I studied the NOAA charts and warnings to get a better idea of the timing of the “BIG” chill. I didn’t want the enemy to make a sneak attack while we slept.
By the time the storm did arrive, I was a bit anxious about it. (Okay, I worried my pour hubby so much that he kept a pair of pliers nearby at all times, ready to leap into action at a moments notice.)
Well, the storm came and went, and everything went according to plan, but my experience of it could have been so different.
The Lord reminded me of another storm, the one that He and His disciples experienced when they were crossing the sea as recorded in Mark 4:35-40.
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’
Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that is was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
There are so many truths to uncover in these few paragraphs, but after my storm the Lord wanted to remind me to keep faith in His word, and what He says about the storms in life.
We don’t have to know all the details about “the storm.” Jesus was asleep in the boat. It wasn’t a comfy cabin cruiser either. Waves were cascading over the sides and filling the boat with water- Jesus was probably getting soaked, He was well aware of the “great” storm taking place at that moment.
Yet, Jesus rebuked His disciples, He was not pleased that they had so quickly forgotten all that He had been teaching them, and all the signs and wonders that He had performed. And don’t forget, in the previous Chapter He gave them power and authority to do the same.
You know, the disciples could have rebuked the storm as well. Any one of them could have opened his mouth and commanded, “Peace, be still!,” and the wind and waves would have obeyed them also.
But I believe another important truth is seen here, they did not believe His word when He commanded, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
In rough times, I work hard- to rest my mind in the promises of God, but every now and then I find myself peaking over the side of the boat, checking on the storm and keeping track of how high the waves are getting.
I haven’t arrived in my faith walk with the Lord, but this I know, whatever storm’s I face in life – I am not trying to battle my way through them, in Christ Jesus, I am already on the other side.
Therefore, I can anchor my heart in His word, declare “Peace, be still” to the storms, remain steadfast in His love … and enjoy the ride.
“… For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor abandon you.” Heb. 13:5
Contact Brenda Groves at: ads@alvinsun.net
