Navigating Storms

 

Blessed is the one

who trusts in the LORD,

whose trust is the LORD.

He is like a tree

         planted by water,

that sends down its roots

         by the stream,

and does not fear 

            when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious

        in the year of drought,

for it does not cease

                 to bear fruit.

          Jeremiah 17. 7-8

(Trust is

             trust in,

in what or whom

   do we send down our roots?

If we trust in God

     and our trust is God,

does not exclude us

   from the hard stuff of life,

but allows us to move freely

   bearing new kinds of fruit

to nurture and sustain others,

unencumbered by

          fear or anxiety.

How can we approach

     and navigate differently

  because we trust God

             even in this?)

O LORD,

Because we trust in You,

we can bring hope and grace

          and Your love

in unexpected ways

   and in unlikely places.

Help us to root ourselves in You,

 trusting in You

            and not in circumstances,

    ready and equipped to respond

                in storms or drought.

Life is radically different

     because we trust in You.

Nothing can separate us

         from Your steadfast love.

Help us to exercise Your strength

            even in the every days,

that we are able to help others

            in times of need.