NAPPING IN THE STORM

"After a storm, comes a calm" - Matthew Henry

 

A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep through a storm." This puzzled the farmer; he liked the young man. So he hired him. A few weeks later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm ripping through the valley. He leapt out of bed and called for his new hired hand, but the young man was sleeping soundly. So they quickly began to check things to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe. Even the bales of wheat had been bound and wrapped in tarpaulins. The tractor had been moved into its garage. The barn was properly locked tight. Even the animals were calm and had plenty of feed; all was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep through a storm."

CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

Have you ever felt all alone in the world, with your pain seeming like they weren't budging, yet you felt you were all alone? At times like this, we somehow manage to live life.

Mark’s heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got used to it. For weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat each time. Susan finally decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…Each day on her own wasn't bad, and she'd never felt better. She was going to work all by herself. On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, “Boy, I sure do envy you.” She wasn’t sure if he was speaking to her or not. "Who would envy a blind woman, struggling to live", she thought. Curious, she asked the driver, “Why do you envy me?” “It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are.” He said. Having no idea what the driver was talking about, she asked, “What do you mean?” “You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady.” Tears of happiness poured down Susan’s cheeks.