He Sleeps in a Storm

"A man seeks employment on a farm.  He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer.  It reads simply, 'He sleeps in a storm'.
"The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.
"Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley.
"Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed.  He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.
"So he dashes off to the barn.  He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed.
"He runs out to the field.  He see the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.
"He races to the silo.  The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.
"And then he understands.  'He sleeps in a storm.'
"My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business.  Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight.  We will never wallow in the agony of 'I could have, I should have.' We can sleep in a storm.
"And when it's time, our goodbyes will be complete."

-From a Sermon by the Reb, 1975

Albom, M. (2009). Have a little faith. New York: Hyperion.

She sleeps in a storm. Oh that my life could reflect this beautiful passage.  I am guilty of procrastination.  Whether it is something I should confess, or say to someone, or a task at work or a new apartment to unpack.  

This week at work, this story echos in my mind whenever I tell myself, Oh I'll have time to do that tomorrow. I reminded myself that whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23).  This is my witness. 

Work is the biggest part of my life right now. 

Every evening after work, last week, I joined about forty people from the church I have been visiting to hand out hot meals and pray for the homeless who fill the streets of downtown.    My heart ached for the drug addicts and homeless I spoke to.  As we walked the streets, we prayed out loud for the people who work in the buildings we passed.  Some prayed that God would change the lives of the professionals in this city and they would live for Him and our city would never be the same.

I will be the first to admit my doubt.  How can a whole city turn to God?  Do these people praying even realize what it's like in these offices?  The greed, the dishonesty, the unrest, the dissension, the uncertainty and fear, the pride and selfishness that grip the business world. Things I battle against everyday.  

We passed my building.  It hit me.  They were praying for me. These prayers are being lifted on behalf of the people behind the walls.  For the Christians who are already there, that they would be a light.  Those prayers were for me.  And I desperately need them.