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Tony Campolo is a delightful, down-to-earth professor of theology at a university in Pennsylvania. He once told a delightful story about his friend's daughter. This girl had an incredible outlook on life. Tony said:
A friend of mine has an adorable four-year-old daughter. She is bright and talkative. If tryouts were being held for a modern day Shirley Temple, I think she would win hands down. One night there was a violent thunderstorm. The lightening flashed and the thunder rumbled. It was one of those terrifying storms that force every one to stop and tremble a bit. My friend ran upstairs to his daughter's room to assure her that everything would be all right. He got to her room and found her standing on the windowsill spread-eagled against the glass. He shouted, "What are you doing?" She turned away from the flashing lightning and happily reported, "I think God is trying to take my picture!"
Wouldn't that be an interesting way to face storms… and the "storms" of our lives? Maybe she hadn't yet learned to be fearful. Scripture tells us that everyone will experience the "storms" of life. For some, the "storm" is past, but we are trying to recover from its devastating power. For some, the "storm" is raging today, now, and we need to find a safe place and a person to turn to as the "storm" rages. And for others, well, the "storm" is coming and it will happen, it won't pass by, you can expect it. Am I too negative? No! I'm just reminding you and me what the Word of God says: there's going to be "storms" in our lives. Bette Davis was right when she said, "Fasten your seat belt. It's going to be a bumpy ride!" There are forces in our world that try hard to strip us of our humanness, dignity, and enthusiasm for life. Ask any elderly family members to tell you the real story of their lives, including "stormy" times.
How do we stay calm when the phone rings at 3:00 a.m., the checkbook balance is very low, the kids aren't happy at
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school, the car won't start, the company is downsizing, there are too many family quarrels, the body has new pains, terrorism is increasing, the neighbor is mean, aging parents can't live alone anymore, etc.? How do we stay calm? Does God create us and then leave us alone? Does Scripture provide us with insight, instruction, and peace when we are in the middle of the "storm?"
Scott Peck begins his best-selling book, The Road Less Traveled, with three words: "Life is difficult." Healthy folks don't deny the "storms of life," they seek the strength to move through them. It was the famous psychiatrist, Dr. Alfred Adler, who reported, "One of the signs of a healthy human being is the capacity to transform a minus into a plus!"
We have a great Teacher when it comes to "storms." We just celebrated the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Talk about one mighty "storm." What are we learning from His life, death, and resurrection? I don't know about you, but I prefer to learn when someone shows or demonstrates to me how something works or should be done, rather than giving me an instruction manual. Jesus demonstrated to us the power of God working in our lives. His death and resurrection shows believers that God is faithful.
As a child, I knew I could trust my parents… nothing really bad would hurt me. As an adult, I trust the Father of Jesus, who is our Father, and I believe that all will be well. If we build our lives on God, we have a strong foundation to weather any and all "storms."
Smile! Maybe God wants to take your picture during an April storm.
Fr. Bill
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Annual Ministry Fair!
Saturday & Sunday
April 24/25
After All Masses
Please be sure to stop by with your family and enjoy hot popcorn, refreshments & free prizes and have fun learning about the many St. John's ministries available to you!
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