Do you not remember?

My dog, Dude, is terrified of thunder storms. He can sense them coming so we know to close the windows when he starts shaking uncontrollably and hyperventilating. We have no idea why he is so scared because we take really good care of him (some might say we spoil him) and have never left him out in the rain or anything else that might have been traumatic. I wonder how many storms he will have to live through before he realizes that he is inside a well built house and therefore… sheltered.

We’ve had a lot of storms in Indianapolis lately and last night when Dude was hiding under Ben’s chair preparing for the worst the Lord reminded me of a familiar Bible story. Mark 6:30-44 recounts the amazing event in which Jesus feeds 5,000 men from 5 loaves and 2 fish. That sounds like something that would really strengthen your faith but just in case there were some witnesses who still had their doubts a few chapters later Jesus does it again! In Mark 8:1-10 Jesus feeds 4,000 men from 7 loaves and a few small fish. Now get this….immediately after this second miracle Jesus and his disciples get onto a boat and guess what the disciples start freaking out about?!?!   Mark 8:14 -16 basically says the disciples realized that they had forgotten to bring bread and they were concerned and trying to figure out a solution. Mark 8:17 “Jesus, aware of this, said them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember…”

I’m scared of storms too…not thunder storms, the kind of storms that shake up my life.  How many storms will I have to live through before I realize I am safely sheltered?  I spend my life straining to hear any distant sounds of thunder and when it comes I curl up and prepare for the worst. And last night as I watched my poor puppy suffer for no reason I knew that God was saying “why are you trembling, Betsy? I am your shelter. I have always been enough. Do you not remember?”

Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”