StOM StOM 1702 | Page 3

From the Fire Side Dearest Family, I have been prayerfully reflecting on many things that have been happening, personally, to the church family members and to the diocese. Some of these things as in the Bishops illness, and the rumblings about the cathedral are beyond my control and some of them as in church family pastoral duties and Ashley’s ongoing fight with cancer, are my jurisdiction The happenings within this diocese and in Gods kingdom are almost too much to consider and it is easy to think that I don't need to do anything about it. And often it will seem that I am doing nothing. But, what did Jesus do in the storm, and what did He do in the manger? HE SLEPT Apparently doing nothing to calm the people or the situation. And there are times when to be still and silent is the best possible action to take. Read on Sleeping through the storm A Parable-like Story: Author Unknown 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... but 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 from the elements. He sees that 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." StOM Page 3