Today was a windy, cold day in southwest Florida. Waves pounded the shorelines, sand blew across the beach filling my shoes, cold penetrated my clothes while the wind wreaked havoc with my hair. Too loud for conversation, I walked in silence as I scoured the beach for treasures.

Even with all the wind and resulting conditions, the beach was a peaceful place today. I was awed by the magnitude of the ocean, the strength of the wind as it stirred up the water and sand. I watched the birds swoop and dive, provided for by a loving Creator. I marveled at the designs created in the wind blown sand. I basked in the peacefulness of the morning, knowing that the wind and waves still know His name. My soul was restored!

²³Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. ²⁴Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” ²⁶Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. ²⁷The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Matthew 8:23-27