Matthew 14:22-33
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
It was a normal Thursday morning in mid-October. I had just picked up my oldest daughter, Cherokee, from her dorm room, and was going to spend a few hours in the prayer room at a local House of Prayer. We had not even made it out of the parking lot when this precious child of mine announces that she was pregnant. I was floored. She was 19 and had just started her first semester of college. She had been seeing this boy off and on for just over a year, but I had no clue they had taken things that far. Cherokee was always my purity ring wearing God girl. As I drove to the House of Prayer, she says laughing, “Well, I thought I would tell you now, since you were on your way to the prayer room.” Cherokee and I had always been close, but we had recently struggled in our relationship, as she pulled away and discovered her independence.
We did not end up at the prayer room that day. We went window shopping and simply hung out and talked about her future. I was heartbroken for this daughter of mine, but I also cherished the life that she carried. As I loved Cherokee that day and in the months to come, I felt the love of God as I had never felt before. I focused on God and took comfort in Laura Story’s song, “Blessings”
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise.
I felt God’s unconditional love for me in all my imperfection, as I stood by my daughter and loved her through this tough time. My hopes and dreams for my first born were dashed, but new dreams took their place. She was 6 months pregnant when she and Nick married. Ava was born in June of 2013 and is the sunshine of my life. Cherokee, Nick and Ava live on a Marine base in North Carolina. Ava is 16 months and is a blessing in my life.
My dreams changed. When I focused on Jesus in the eye of the storm, I was blessed with a grand-daughter and a son-in-law that I am proud of. It was a difficult time, but I chose to keep my eyes on Jesus and I was blessed.
Often, when we as mom’s are in the middle of the storm, we doubt that Jesus is there to help us walk on the waters of our trials. He is there. We simply have to focus on Him and not our situation. We have to keep the faith and not doubt. Jesus tells us to take courage, do not be afraid. He is there standing in front of us, encouraging us in this journey of motherhood. Focus on Jesus, sweet mom, and not on your circumstances and you will be able to walk on the water of the stormy seas of parenting. Jesus is right in front of you, encouraging you. Go to Him.
Patti Burris 