Word - Ellen Chauvin | Soaked & Sprouting

How to Survive a Hurricane

July 24, 2015 by Ellen 12 Comments

We’re in the middle of hurricane season in south Louisiana. In a really strong wind, I’ve seen towering water oaks toppled like sticks, due to their shallow root system. Sometimes, we don’t realize how deep our roots are, until a storm comes.

I had a major life altering storm four years ago. It threw me. My mom suffered a stroke, and two months later passed away. It wasn’t her death that was so surprising. Mama was 85 and had health problems. What shocked me, rocked me and tossed me around in hurricane strength winds, was how lost I felt after she was gone. Like those large water oaks, I was toppled.

But I didn’t break. As the storm raged, my roots dug deeper into Jesus Christ, and He held me firm. Although it took some time, I was finally able to grab those roots when I needed them most. I dug my fingers into the depths of the tangled root ball, and held on for dear life.

Be firmly rooted.

A strong root system nourishes the plant. Christ nourishes me. During that storm, I drank in His words to soothe my aching heart. I filled myself with Him. I devoured His word. The roots I have in Him provided strength for the hurricane force emotions I had.

Plants are anchored by a strong root system. I was anchored in Christ. My roots dug deeper and wrapped around Him while the storm whipped around me. I was battered by those winds of grief, but I was never uprooted. His roots anchored me.

Be firmly rooted.

We will have storms in our lives. Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will have tribulation and trouble in this world. Be prepared for it. Paul warned the church at Thessalonica that troubles would come, and we are destined for them (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).

Be. Firmly. Rooted.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Do your circumstances feel like a hurricane? Are the Category 4 winds knocking you about? Maybe, like me, you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one. Maybe you’re grieving the death of your marriage. Perhaps you’ve lost your job and the financial burdens are piling up.

Be. Firmly. Rooted.

Dig your roots deep into Christ. Siphon your nourishment from Him. Anchor yourself in His word. Though you may be whipped around and tossed about, though you may bend, you will not break. Your faith will grow strong.

Here’s what I’ve seen after a hurricane: In a group of tall trees, the storm blew some of them over. But they weren’t uprooted and they didn’t fall to the ground. They fell into the trees next to them. They were supported by the other trees. As we strengthen ourselves in Jesus, and build the foundation of our lives on Him, we can encourage and support others going through a storm. We can nurture them as their roots grow deeper in Christ.

Let’s be firmly rooted in Christ!

Until next week,

Joining these lovely writers. Be sure to visit their pages, you’ll be encouraged!

Suzie Eller, Live Free Thursday

Kelly at Purposeful Faith

Holly at Testimony Tuesday

Holley at Coffee for Your Heart

Jennifer at Tell His Story

Bonnie at Faith Barista

Excitement, Delight and The Great Day

July 2, 2015 by Ellen 14 Comments

Tears threatened and her voice quavered as she told her story.

She met the children on a mission trip to Leon, Nicaragua, serving with Voice of Hope Ministries. She joked with the Nicaraguan women that her name was Diva. Even the children called her that!

The children…oh, the children! She loved them, and they showered her with hugs and love. Every picture she posted during the week showed a child in each arm and some on her lap. Children were hanging around her everywhere. The love of the children made it hard to leave after a week of serving. On the last day, she was visiting with the women at an outdoor cafe. Suddenly, she heard the call:

Diiivaaaa!! Diiivaaa!!

The kids came running to her for one last hug.

When will you return? Tomorrow? Next week? Don’t go, Diiivaaa!

Hopping from one foot to the other, they eagerly awaited her response. Several held their breath, trembling and shivering in anticipation. They were ready NOW for her to return!

There’s just something about the excitement of a child. It bubbles up and overflows like lava. They can’t hold it in! They wiggle and squirm and jump with suppressed energy.

You’ve felt it, haven’t you? A heightened sense of something special in store; the impatience of waiting for special guests to arrive.

Isn’t this how we should await Christ’s return? With eagerness and joy? Are you looking forward to His coming? Are you watching and waiting?

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20 (NLT)

Equally as important is this: Are we ready? Are we preparing for His coming?

When family and friends come for a visit, I prepare for days in advance. In the flurry of activity, I wonder: Is the house clean? Is their room ready? Do I have enough food on hand? I’m very focused and intentional, knowing exactly what work needs to be done.

[tweetthis]Await Christ’s return with childlike delight; prepare for His return with deliberate purpose.[/tweetthis]

We need to be intentional while we are watching and waiting for Christ. Preparing for His return is actively waiting. There is much work to be done.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NLT)

Wait with expectancy, watch with excitement, work with enthusiasm until the Great Day. And may we be like the children in Nicaragua when we see Him: overflowing with excitement!