Rocked but not Wrecked

Mercy me, junebug, pull you up a cozy front‑porch rocker, brush that nosy barn cat off your lap, and settle in real gentle‑like. We’re ’a-fixin’ to stroll through a truth that’ll warm your soul like a cast‑iron skillet of fresh-baked gingerbread outta the oven.

In Mark 4:35-37 we find, “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake’… But soon a fierce storm came up.”

And right there’s where Isaiah 43:2 whispers its promise: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Not if you pass through the waters when things get a mite scary. You gotta know, the Lord never pretended life would be storm‑free, but He sure did promise you wouldn’t be ‘a-paddlin’ all by yourself.

Now bless their hearts, those disciples thought they was ‘a-headin’ out for a peaceful sunset cruise. Next thing they knew, they were ’a-bouncin’ around that boat like a possum in a clothes dryer. Waves ‘a-slappin’, wind ‘a-howlin’, water ‘a-splashin’ in faster than a toddler can dump out a bathtub. And these weren’t amateurs. Some of ’em were seasoned fishermen who smelled like bait for a livin’. If they were scared, land sakes, that storm was meaner than a mama cow ‘a-protectin’ her calf.

But here’s the thing: Jesus knew that storm was ‘a-comin’. Didn’t need a weather report. Didn’t need cousin Bubba’s trick knee to predict rain. Colossians 1:15–16 tells us that He created everything, seen, unseen, and all the critters in between. So, yes, indeed, He knew. And I reckon He planned that boat ride because of the storm. It was part of His holy curriculum that day.

See, Jesus had already said, “Let’s cross to the other side.” Not “Let’s try.” Not “Let’s hope.” When the Lord says you’re ‘a-goin’ somewhere, you can bet your best pair of overalls you’re ‘a-getting’ there. He never promised smooth sailin’, but He did promise safe arrival.

The disciples done forgot that there. Fear’ll do that to you. It’ll make you think like a squirrel ‘a-tryin’ to do algebra. But Jesus was right there in the boat, ‘a-snoozin’ away like a hound dog after Sunday dinner. And He’s right there with you, too, through every storm, every wave, every “Lord, I can’t take much more of this” moment.

The Lord still calls us to the other side out of our comfort zones, past our fears, beyond what we think we can do. The journey may shake you up, pumpkin seed, but the One ‘a-ridin’ with you is bigger than anything ‘a-rockin’ your boat.

Father, when the winds howl and the waves rise, steady my heart. Remind me You’re right beside me, ‘a-guidin’ me, a- holdin’ me, and ‘a-leadin’ me safely through every storm. Help me trust Your promises more than my fears. Thank You for bein’ my anchor and my peace. In Jesus holy name, Amen.

Now go on, butterbean, tuck this here truth right in your pocket like a real warm homemade sugar cookie all wrapped up in a napkin. When life starts ‘a-rockin’ your boat way too hard, remember, you’re ‘a-ridin’ with the One who commands the wind, and He’ll get you right on over to the other side every single time.

With joy,

Gwen