It looked like it was going to be a wonderful vacation – until we had to start running.
Recently, I had the chance to travel with John while he was working. We were driving up north to Ohio and West Virginia, states I’ve never visited. Woo hoo! I was ready for some time off. Let’s go!
There was only one little problem. After the first day, we had to alter our route because of a winter storm. Don’t get me wrong, I was excited about the prospect of seeing snow. I just didn’t want John to have to drive in it. After all, we’re from south Louisiana. The schools close if there’s even a hint of a heavy rain storm or sub-freezing weather. We shut down the town and absolutely do not drive if it snows. We surely do not! So we ran in the opposite direction.
We made it to Ohio just fine, even though we didn’t get to do any sightseeing. We were running ahead of the snow and sleet storm.
When we arrived in Canton, some snow had already fallen, and more snow was slowly drifting down. I loved it! For the next two days I played in that beautiful white power and took pictures while John worked. I rested.
Our next scheduled stop was in West Virginia. The only problem? Eight to ten inches of snow predicted! So we ran for home. This new storm was anticipated to have a winter mix as far south as north Louisiana. We needed to leave early and drive as far as possible. We skeedaddled!
We’re no strangers to running. After all, we’re from south Louisiana. We have hurricanes. A few years back, we had two summers with two hurricanes each – back to back. By the time the fourth hurricane rolled in, we were exhausted from evacuating. For the first three storms, we secured the house and left for safety. We ran ahead of the storms that were predicted to be a direct hit. But for hurricane number four, we decided to hunker down, and ride it out at home. We were worn out. We were tired of running.
Isn’t that the way it is in life sometimes? We run from the storms, the difficulties, the problems of life, wanting to avoid them, rather than walk through them. We run from our past, from our present, from our God. We vegetate and medicate (drugs, alcohol, a good book, even TV) and suppress, but never process our feelings.
At some point, don’t you just get so tired of running? Me too. Let’s stop. No more skedaddling. After all, the best part of running is when you stop. When you’re home, where you can rest.
Let’s stop running from the storms and run home to Jesus. Let’s trust that the God who raised Jesus from the dead will equip us and strengthen us to walk through any storms life brings our way.
“I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me.” Psalm 139:7-10 (TLB)
Don’t run from your storms; run to your Savior.
Until next time,
Joining these lovely writers. Be sure to visit their pages, you’ll be encouraged!
Suzie Eller, Live Free Thursday
Susan at Dance with Jesus
Barbie at The Weekend Brew
Kelly at Purposeful Faith
Holly at Testimony Tuesday
Sue at Life Giving Linkup
Holley at Coffee for Your Heart
Jennifer at Tell His Story
Meredith at Woman 2 Woman Wednesday
Amen, Ellen! Time to stop running:) God must be trying to tell us something because I wrote about storms this week, too! Can’t wait to see you in July, friend.
Kristine, do you think we’re learning from our storms? Or are there more ahead? Either way, with Christ we can navigate through them! YAY! A reunion in July!!
Yes, yes, yes! Ps 139 has taken on a whole new, rich meaning for me recently. And, I have to admit, I want to go deeper with The Lord in that Psalm….and for others to go there too. Thank you for encouraging us in that, Ellen. Glad you were able to safely enjoy snow in Ohio. Lots of good memories are made in the white stuff.
Oh, that’s a beautiful Psalm Kristi! Thanks so much for stopping by today! And Yes! the snow was so beautiful! Mostly we just get white fog down here 🙂
David ran from King Saul–and he wrote about God providing refuge. Your story reminds me of the Psalms. Oh, so true. We need to run to Jesus for rest! I’m you neighbor at the Weekend Brew. Have a blessed weekend.
Hi Carol, thanks for stopping by. And thank you for your encouraging comments. Yes, so thankful that God is our refuge and strength! Blessings to you this weekend!
Beautifully written! Awesome reminder! When we run away, we take ourselves with us. And if we don’t carry Jesus on the trip, we are destined to hit a roadblock!!!
Hello sweet Julie! Beautifully said: We need to carry Jesus with us so we don’t hit road blocks!
Glad you were able to enjoy the snow in Ohio, Ellen. That must have been unsettling to have to drive ahead of a storm. But I’m with you. I definitely want to run to Jesus instead of running away when things get tough. Walking through things with Him is better than hiding!
Amen Betsy! When we walk with Him, we can face any storm!
Great analogy. I’m from New Jersey, where we don’t get too many hurricanes, although we did have a big one (Sandy) a few years back and were without power for 3 weeks in a very cold October. As much as I’m sick of the white stuff, I’ll take the snow over a hurricane any day! But spiritually speaking, we really don’t get to choose our storms, any more than we have a choice over which kind of storm we live in. Good food for thought.
Thank you for your comments Mary, I appreciate you stopping by!
I agree- let’s stop running from the storms and run to Jesus. Great analogies with the impending snowstorms. Glad you are safe! Blessed you joined us at The Weekend Brew.
PS. I am from Ohio-southwestern part in Cincinnati. Hope you liked our beautiful state!
Hi Mary! I didn’t get to see much of Ohio, but I did enjoy it. I was so impressed with how quickly the snow was cleared from the roads! Thank you for stopping by. Blessing to you!
Ellen, this is a beautiful analogy and so applicable. Yes, for many of us when the going gets tough we run in the opposite direction. Avoid, avoid, avoid at all costs. Thanks for reminding that we miss so many blessings that God might have wanted to shower on us in those storms. By the way, we rode out Hurricane Betsy in a tiny duplex on Davis St. back in 1965. It is still there but looks terrible. Fifty years will do that!
Oh, yes, Libby the blessing we miss by running in the opposite direction! Walking through the storm with Him, is better than avoidance. I will have to look up Davis St. I know some of those old houses are SO strong!
I relate to this! I have been many times running in wrong directions. But I have learned to run to Jesus! Thanks for this encouragement. I’m visiting from Twitter and # RaRalinkup
Love and Blessings,
Tayrina from TGAWrites
Hello Tayrina! Thanks so much for visiting! I so love the #RaRalinkup! So much love and encouragement there!
Amen Ellen! So this was the word I needed to hear today! I’m in a storm right now and man do I so want to run away from it. I can, it’s localized, it would be easy to just take a few steps in any direction and find calm. But God keeps telling me no.
So thank you for this today. Oh and I’m glad you got to enjoy some snow.
Blessings, Jana
Lord, protect Jana from this storm she is in. Keep her safe under Your mighty wings. Father we know that trials come to strengthen us and build our character, and knowing this I believe that Jana is strengthened in You today and has a character as pure as gold! In Jesus name, Amen!
Hello Ellen,
Your words were beautiful and so is your blog! I love the colors and the visuals. It’s very inviting and serene – gives such a feeling of peace, and tranquility.
Lord knows, I did enough running, can’t say I’m 100% but I’m certainly not where I used to be and I can assuredly thank Almighty God for that! It’s because of Him that I realize I don’t have to run anymore away from my fears and insecurities, but to embrace His love, guidance and protection that will navigate me through even what seems to appear as the biggest opposition. I appreciate this beautiful reminder to run to my Lord for cover, instead of away from Him, even in times of mistake and doubt. He’s a sure thing, am I’m loving this journey of confidence in Him! God Bless You Immensely, Sybil #RaRaLinkup
visit me anytime ~ http://www.sybilstreet.com
So thankful for your visit here Sybil! I appreciate your encouragement! Yes, indeed our Lord is a sure thing!
Yes, let’s stop running away and run to our loving Father who always has mercy and has promised to be with us through the storms and through the good times. How blessed we are!
Amen Gayl! Thanks for visiting today!
Ellen, I SOOO needed to hear your words today: “Let’s stop running from the storms and run home to Jesus.” BEAUTIFUL encouragement to cheer me on! #RaRalinkup Have a great day – see you in July!
So glad they encouraged you today, sweet Kim! Thanks for stopping by!