Last week God let me have a glimpse of His love in nature. The rain had ceased; there was no more thunder when I walked out on my porch. The sky was all red and orange with the first rays of the rising sun. The air was cool and fresh. There was the smell of spring in the air. You could almost hear the grass growing; it would need mowing soon . . . well, in truth it already needed mowing.

I was reminded of a friend of mine from years past. He was a traveling evangelist who used his talent as an artist to illustrate his sermons in chalk. As he spoke he would draw a picture in varied colors. On his canvas another picture already existed in chalk invisible until the light of an infrared lamp was shone on the work. The magic was often breathtaking and gave the viewer a life-changing message. The evangelist made his own chalk. I remember him saying the most expensive to make was red. As I looked at the sunrise I could not help thinking how extravagant God is with His palette

My old Uncle Nathan, the circuit-riding preacher on the frontier, was visiting with an elderly lady. They were discussing their favorite scripture. Matthew 24:6, the lady said with some emphasis. The preacher took his Bible and read, "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."

"Why," he asked, "do you find such comfort in that verse?"

"It says, it came to pass, and I am just so glad it did not come to stay."

This was the good news of that spring morning. The storm had come with thunder and lightning; wind and hail with torrential rain beat down on the earth. Oleanders bowed before the storm. Animals sought shelter and people stirred in their beds. For many sleep would not come as the storm raged about them. And then it passed. The skies cleared, the wind died down, and all was at peace in the world.

It came to pass; Iım so glad it did not come to stay. So it has been ever since. When Jesus stilled the wind and the waves on the Sea of Galilee you can almost hear their sigh as it came to pass. Our life storms are no less severe. We wonder if we can take the punishment of the storm, forgetting that Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. Or worse, we are out in the boat alone.

The good news is that with Jesus it came to pass. Without Him we must bear the storm alone and without hope. When the storm shook the boat on the Sea of Galilee and His frightened disciples screamed in terror, He simply said, ³You of little faith Š did you not remember I am with you.²