The Storm Passes Over

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46

Back when our boys were boys, we never had the money for elaborate vacations. We did what we could when we could. Our biggest trip was an extended camping trip. We piled coolers and tents, suitcase and duffle bags on top of the Dodge Caravan and I bungeed and strapped it all down. Around 2 am I carried our sleeping sons out of the house and strapped them in their seats and we headed out. We were in Dodge City, Kansas before they awoke.

We had a disastrous first night near the Royal Gorge that ended with everyone together in one small tent and consequently trashing two of our tents the next morning and heading to the nearest Walmart for a replacement. It turned out to be a wickedly cold July in the mountains that year. Another stop for sweatshirts.

One morning we were camped near Ouray. While Monica was cooking breakfast, I took the boys for a short hike along a trail that led up a gentle slope to a waterfall cascading over a cliff face and reorganizing into a small river below along the trail. About 50 yards from the base of the falls, I heard a strange cracking sound. Looking up I saw that a part of the cliff face had broken loose and baseball size shards of rock were raining down from the heavens.

The rocks were striking the ground and bouncing rapidly down the slope towards where we were standing. Thankfully, there was a large lone boulder providentially placed right in front of where we were standing. I had the boys get behind it and I joined them as we all took cover.

The rock storm didn’t last long, and we were sheltered safely in the shadow of that rock.

This storm won’t last forever. There is a Rock in whose shadow you can find shelter.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3