RoslynReynolds.com

In the Eye of the Storm

Posted On Saturday, October 25th, 2008

Under: Uncategorized

A few weeks ago I received an email from my brother living in Conroe, Texas—right in the path of the most recent Hurricane, Ike. His email included a photo of the meat section of his local grocery store. There was nothing on the shelves. He wrote that the chips aisle and the soda aisle were likewise depleted. People had panicked, and had cleared out the shelves.

The only injuries he sustained from the hurricane were muscle strain from lifting the boards to his windows to board them up. His home sustained some minor damage (broken water lines,) and he lost power for several days. Yet when I called to learn more details about how he was holding up, he was optimistic and cheerful.

He has been through quite a storm, but he weathered it well. He had found the calm in the eye of the storm.

I had read that in the eye of a tropical cyclone, there is a place where it is calm. No matter what is swirling about the circumference of that area, none of it hits or affects the center. It is a place of relative safety and peace in the middle of turmoil.

Have you felt turmoil in your life? Are there circumstances you feel you have no control over that are causing you grief, or deep disappointment? Do you wish you could find that center, where you could find some peace as your problems and trials swirl around you?

A term often used to describe a person who ‘has it all together’ is “centered”. I have felt that way, when I am doing well, and it is a good feeling. I feel peaceful, capable, and calm.

Right now, however, the signs that I am off-center are increasing. My laundry basket is getting full. The countertop in my bathroom is no longer the shiny, smooth surface I love to run my hand over. There are stacks of papers in my bedroom right now that need attention. I too often catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror as I hurry past, and instead of a smile, I see concern and worry lines. I run from one thing to the next – often late—and when I arrive, more often than not I find I don’t have with me the necessary items to complete my errand.

What ’storm’ am I dealing with? The happy preparations for weddings for two daughters, and helping prepare a son to leave on a two-year church mission. Why is my life feeling out of control when I have such joyful things to celebrate?
As I examine my life recently, I see I have neglected some vital basics. Just as in the early days of my grieving, I have allowed that which demands my immediate attention to crowd out what is vital to my well-being. Those things that allow me to feel calm and peaceful have been overlooked in the rush to accomplish everything on my “to-do” lists.
I know what I need to do. In the midst of this ‘storm’, albeit a happy one, I need to take the time to connect with my Creator daily, by reading and pondering His words.
I need to take the time to pray, and listen for His guidance. My relationship with Him needs to be my first priority.
A great man once said, “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” 1
As I have learned to grieve, putting God first has made all the difference. He has given me strength to keep going, one day at a time. And He has led me to that calm in the eye of each storm of life, and each time He does, I find peace.
I pray that you, too may find that calm, and know that God waits to lead you there.
In peace,

Roslyn

1 Ezra Taft Benson, LDS April Conference 1988

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