Swamped

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Peace! Be still! - Mark 4:39

There is a beautiful, simple French prayer that translated into English implores: "Holy God, protect me. The ocean is so big and my boat is so small."

The world is big and overwhelming. The material possessions we gather around us for protection are clearly inadequate and often add to the problem. We are bombarded by information. We shiver at the word "terrorism," because we have seen what it can do.

We are accessible to others every minute of the day because of the mobile devices we carry. Finding an escape, finding peace, is becoming more and more challenging. Where is the cushion in the bottom of our boats where we can lay our heads and sleep in full faith of God's presence and protection?

Instead we panic. Then Jesus commends the storm, his disciples, and us: "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:39). Suddenly, all around us is "a dead calm." Well, if there is anything that frightens us more than stormy seas, it is a dead calm. Now what? How am I supposed to sail my little boat with no wind?

We've all said it. Someone asks us politely how life is going. We roll our eyes and sigh, " I'm swamped!" Being swamped is proof that we are important, indispensable. Our time is precious. Our calendars are full. The socially acceptable response to that is a matching eye roll and sigh, "I know what you mean." The caring response can be, Tell me. What is it that is swamping you?" What is battering your little boat?

We can be that cushion of faith and caring for others. We can say, "Peace, my friend. Be still. God loves and protect you. I am here to bail what with you."

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