simar@tds.net

Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6:50b-52 NIV

The fury of the tempest surrounds me. Fierce wind blows strong against me and waves surge higher than my vessel. Sheets of rain fall from the sky with flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder. My little boat is tossed around like a matchstick in the churning waves. I row with all my strength but feel myself slipping backwards, pulled by the sucking waters. The storm, terrifying in its strength, overwhelms me. My courage fades.

Through the roar of the storm, I hear your voice. "Take courage!" you say. "Don’t be afraid."

Can it be? I wipe rain from my eyes and squint through the darkness. In a flash of lightning I see you coming to me, walking upon the stormy waves as if on dry land. Your face is as bright as the sunshine, your presence emanates peace.

My eyes focus on you alone and I forget the storm in the glory of your presence.

"It is I," you say. "Don’t be afraid."

Then you come closer and climb into my boat. The wind ceases. The waves settle. The storm is over.

My hard heart searches for a logical reason. Watches for signs in the sky to explain what has happened. I was going under, you came walking upon the water, and when you climbed into my boat the storm stopped.

Suddenly I understand what happened when you multiplied the loaves to feed the hungry people. Not a coincidence, not explainable. A miracle.

Your laughter fills the space left silent after the storm.

Dear Jesus, Come to me, walking upon the churning water. Let me hear your voice over the roar turmoil. Come to me and climb into my boat. Calm my storm. Remove the hardness of my heart and let me understand your miracles.

Copyright Candace Simar