Ever-Present Help

What a doozy of a storm has hit New England this week. Like a blow to the ego, it came rolling in and knocked Boston on its behind. The wind whipped through the alleys and wrangled the snow around and around until there was no telling which way was up. There was no calm while the storm ravaged. No quiet moment to spy a chipmunk hopping on top of the snow or to hear the birds chirping in their hiding places. No peace until the storm subsided. Only gravity was pertinent in getting from one place to the other. That constant, ever present, ever reliable, ever solid fact of life called gravity.

I didn't do too well when the storm hit this week. I stayed in my house. Closed off. Sheltered. Wondering when it was going to end and how long will it last? Without the help of the forecasters, there's usually no telling. And even then they don't get it quite right. I feel bad for the Native Americans and Puritans who lived here before us and dealt with the harsh weather without knowing its end. They had to trust God and trust Him completely. Put their whole life, even their insecurities and imperfections, in His hands to help them through each storm. They had to gather with their family for warmth and comfort. They had to rely on God's providence when a member or members of their family became noticeably and impossibly ill. It knocks the wind out of you when it's a family member, wondering how is it possibly you this time? I guess it had to be. No immune system can defeat every bout with the cold or flu, or worse. Every immune system fights and fights hard for that body to live another day. The fever may get worse. The headaches may rage. But I have confidence that the immune system will finally assault this parasite with much ever-present help.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
                              Psalm 46:1