Hope for the Storms of Life

As I write, we are waiting for hurricane Irma, the category 5 storm that devastated the Caribbean just a few days ago. Our house is boarded up, and we feel as safe as one can feel while in the path of a powerful storm. Our weather radio is on my favorite station, Z88.3, which injects weather warnings between songs of hope and peace to help us prepare. I can't think of a better way to remain hopeful and ready for a storm.

© 2017 Amaryllis Sánchez Wohlever, MD

Below are a few songs that are particularly relevant during times like these.

In the Eye of the Storm

Hills and Valleys

Praise You in This Storm

These songs remind us that praising God in the midst of our storms is powerful. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. As we pray and lift up His name, He blesses us with His presence, comfort, and peace. 

Praise is a fountain of life and peace.  

As praise rises, blessings descend.

May we all experience this in greater measure as we place our trust in Him, seeing every trial as an opportunity to learn to trust God more. And may these words of the psalmist become our prayer during the storms of life, for our God is the place of safety, joy, and peace.

 I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me;
    He delivered me from all my fears....

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
    and He delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
    blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:1-4, 7-8 

Please join me in praying for everyone on the path of this hurricane as well as the thousands of people who are now homeless or whose lives will never be the same again. I am thankful for the relief efforts already underway and for the many ways we can all help one another during such times. God bless you all, and thank you for your prayers.

Praising God in the storm,

Dr. Mari

A Thirsty Deer Leads Worship!

Last month I joined my youngest son on an exciting overnight field trip to Tallahassee. We packed those two days with everything from a jungle cruise and a visit to the zoo to a tour of the Capitol that included handshakes with Senators and twenty minutes with Florida's Attorney General. The eloquent and down-to-earth woman (Pam Bondi) celebrated our children's manners and knowledge and encouraged them to continue to make good choices. As we left for our next adventure, she pointed to my son as he skipped away and said, "There goes a future president." Not bad for a first impression!

One of my favorite activities was walking through Florida's natural landscapes and learning about our red wolves, white-tailed squirrels, turkey mating behaviors (highly entertaining!), and, of course, the Florida alligator. As we wrapped up an exciting nature walk, a moving sight halted my failed attempts at catching up with the tour group. A group of five white-tailed deer seemed as surprised to see me as I was to spot them. One of them in particular caught my eye as he drank deeply from the waters that served as an almost perfect mirror for the surrounding live oaks.

Clearly more thirsty than the others, this deer closed its eyes with pure delight as he first licked the surface and, not fully satisfied, immersed his nose and mouth into the water, appearing to savor every gulp.

Without a single thought but lost in the moment, these words from Psalm 42 flooded my soul,

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?" 

(Psalm 42:1,2) 

Answering the psalmist, it occurred to me that I'd just met God right there. As the animal continued to drink deeply, another passage stirred my soul, moving me to worship our Creator. 

 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
   come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
   come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
   without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,
   and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good,
   and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Give ear and come to Me;
   hear Me, that your soul may live."

(Isaiah 55:1-3a)

As these words formed in my soul, it was as if I joined the thirsty deer. I drank in God's goodness, praising Him for the beauty of His creation, for His presence all around us, and for His everlasting love. And I sensed His joy in my slowing down enough to hear His, "Yes! You found Me. Now, stay, and keep on drinking! Learn from that deer to get filled with that which truly satisfies."

Having been invited to such waters, why would we choose to lick only the surface or, worse, to drink from streams that don't last and don't satisfy? 

Its thirst quenched, the deer pranced away, maneuvering perfectly between the towering oaks all around us. And then I pictured my son skipping away, full of joy, after meeting the lovely Attorney General who encouraged him with hopeful words. Like that thirsty deer, may my son - and all of us! - continue to drink from the right streams, the ones that fill our souls and give us life. Whatever it is that God calls each of us to be, may we live to worship only Him.

In Him,

Dr Mari

In Memory of my Little Cousin

Lorenzo, 2001-2010

You will live in our hearts forever!

While listening to Lincoln Brewster sing Everlasting God, I thought of my little cousin Lorenzo, who went to be with the Lord way before his loved ones were ready to say goodbye. Yet, I rejoice in knowing the everlasting God who helps us stand during times of overwhelming sorrow. At 3:50, a child recites the hopeful words from Isaiah 40:28-31. I received them as coming from Lorenzo's innocent heart unto the hearts of those of us who continue to wait for the Lord - in hope and with great faith. Though we may feel faint in the waiting at times, the Rock we stand on never faints. Our God never grows weary, but is faithful to strengthen all who wait on Him.

We will continue to wait on You, Lord, and lean on You as our strength and our hope!

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."
(Isaiah 40:28-31)

Comparto esta canción en memoria de mi primito Lorenzo y para dar gracias a nuestro Dios eterno, quien nos mantiene firmes en momentos de gran dolor. En el minuto 3:50, un niño recita las palabras de Isaías 40:28-31. Las recibí como un mensaje del corazón inocente de Lorenzo a los corazones de quienes continuamos esperando y confiando en el Señor con esperanza y fe. Aunque a veces nos cansamos de esperar porque Dios actúe, nuestra Roca se mantiene firme. Dios nunca se cansa, mas fortalece al cansado y al débil.

Continuaremos esperando por Tí, Señor, aferrados a Ti, nuestra fortaleza y esperanza.

"¿Acaso no lo sabes? ¿Acaso no te has enterado?

El Señor es el Dios eterno, Creador de los confines de la tierra.

No se cansa ni se fatiga,

y Su inteligencia es insondable.

Él fortalece al cansado y acrecienta las fuerzas del débil.

Aun los jóvenes se cansan, se fatigan,

y los muchachos tropiezan y caen;

pero los que confían en el Señor renovarán sus fuerzas;

volarán como las águilas:

correrán y no se fatigarán,

caminarán y no se cansarán".
(Isaías 40:28-31)

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of His unfailing love.” (Psalm 33:4-5)

"La palabra del Señor es justa; fieles son todas Sus obras.

El Señor ama la justicia y el derecho;

llena está la tierra de Su amor". (Psalm 33:4-5)

African Children's Choir

While reflecting on the fact that Jesus came for all of us on Christmas day - for every person from every nation - I came upon this video of a Children's Choir from Uganda. These orphaned children first sing Light of the World in their native language and then in English. Here's the chorus of this beautiful song of praise:

Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, 

Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're altogether lovely, altogether worthy, 

altogether wonderful to me. 

In the New Year, let us worship the One who is worthy of praise!
Dr Mari

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” (John 8:12)