Last week we loaded up the old RV, and I do mean, ?loaded? and took off for a few days of fun and sun at Emerald Isle, North Carolina. When we left on Tuesday it was hot and sunny. I couldn?t wrap my mind around the weather forecast for the next day saying there would be wind gusts up to thirty-five miles per hour with heavy rain.
Upon arrival we found our campsite on the first row right in front of the ocean. I was sort of sad that a big sand dune hid our view of the Atlantic, but Wednesday morning I was thankful for that mountain of earth, grass, and bushes that sort of blocked the howling blasts of air.
The afternoon was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. However, you could tell the upcoming tropical storm was churning up a mighty big assault on the coastline. The undercurrent was fearsome, and the thrust of the water against the ocean floor was slinging jellyfish on shore left and right. We even saw dozens of tiny purple ones. A Google search told us that they are really rare. But fearful of the sting of one of those beauties we retired to the pool. And, don?t let anyone persuade you to let him or her pee on you if you get stung by one of those things. That cure does not work! Use vinegar, it takes the burn out.
On Wednesday morning around 7 a.m. rain pinging off the top of the camper woke me for the second time. The first awakening was before 6 a.m. by my dear husband. Who in their right mind gets up before 6 in the morning on vacation? Before long the wind picked up and started rocking our dwelling on wheels. I got up to look out the window and it was a sight. Trees swaying, trashcan lids flying, rain blowing sideways. I wondered if a camper floats? I was a bit concerned and asked the hubby did he think we should move inland. He didn?t seem to think so. So, we rode tropical storm Beryl out, in a twenty-eight foot camper, parked oceanfront, with an eight-year old to entertain.
Around eleven o?clock the rain slacked off and Emma persuaded her pappy and I to take a stroll up to the top of the sand dune to look at the ocean. We could hear the waves crashing against the shore, beating pellets of sand and shell against each other making more sand. We donned our raincoats and struck out on a walk-in-the-rain adventure. The ocean was everything we expected. The waves were ten feet high, and fierce enough that surfers were wise not to tempt those waters.
Up the beach we saw the Bogue Inlet Pier. Could we make the mile or so hike without the heavens opening up again? Well, we made it to the pier, but three hours later after a nice lunch at Rucker John?s a steady rain began as we were making our way back to the camper. You should have seen Emma?s face. It was glowing. What could be more fun than walking in the rain? By the time we arrived back at the campground we were drenched. But you know what? Our wet clothes were soon dried and forgotten, but the memory of our adventure will last a lifetime.
The afternoon brought more rain and wind from Beryl. Worn out from the walk we all settled in for a nice afternoon nap. The next morning dawned bright and clear. The ocean was once again tamed: The calm after the storm. How could there be such a drastic change from one day till the next?
You know our life is sometimes like a bad storm. Right before I left for our beach vacation one of my best friends mother passed away. While on our trip, a church members dad died unexpectedly, and another close friend?s father had a heart attack. All of a sudden my friends were caught in one of life?s many storms. Adrift, with the ocean churning all around them. The same has happened to me many times, burdens dragging me down deep into the depths of the dark waters. Swallowing me up with pity and sadness. Washing in through every pore in my body, drowning my heart with grief.
When these troubled times blow into our lives we have to remember that tomorrow is a new day. The clouds of doom will be overshadowed by the glow of the sun. When sorrow threatens to bury us in it?s depths, we must remember that God makes no mistakes. His plans are not always our plans, but He is always with us to comfort and gather us up in His embrace. Hold on my dear friends, there is always a calm after the storm. If the Great Comforter could calm the sea, rest assured He can handle our struggles. God?s love, and eternal promise delivers the calm before, during and after the storm.
Psalm 107: 29
He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
