When neither sun nor stars

appeared for many days,

and no small tempest lay on us,

all hope of our being saved

was at last abandoned.

                  Acts 27. 20

(Don't calculate without God.

God provides strength for that

which we are unable to do,

that we would know

           and trust God more

for what comes next

      to be used by Him.

Whether that means in fair breezes

              or tumultuous storms,

    we are equipped

    for His profound purposes.

And to know

beyond a shadow of a doubt

      that God is right here with us.

And for when the crisis has passed,

     we recognize

          and acknowledge God

and don't try to

          explain Him away.)

O LORD,

Help us to know

that what wears us out

  is not seeking You,

what drains the

    brilliance and wonder

  is explaining You away,

what makes us restless

   is not trusting You,

what creates the mundane

  is not recognizing Your hand,

even in this.

Help us to realize that hope

   is not manifest in the future

           but rooted in the now.

When the overwhelming storm

   is on the horizon

   or we are in its midst,

You are still sovereign.

You are still our refuge,

  not a place of hiding,

but of strengthening

from which to go forth.