Tornadoes and Sheep.

It's hard to think that only six weeks have passed since I started at ICI. The previous stage of life seems like a distant memory - was that really less than two months ago?

Summer at ICI is a flurry of activities, there is always something to be done, when one outing is done it's time to prepare for the next. Even so, there are some calm moments to catch your breath before diving in again. This is one of those moments, a few hours of quiet office work giving me a moment to reflect on all that has happened. Last week's three day camping trip to Baraboo, Wisconsin was a great time of relationship building and reflection on God. Many humorous moments offset the rain and mud, the first of which was at the very beginning:

On the way there, I was stirred from my thoughts by the young girls in the last row of the 15 passenger van.

"The city is just crowded and noisy, that's not really living. This is real life," one girl said, gesturing out the window, trees and fields rolling by. "Nature and trees and green. This is really living. Tornadoes..." she paused as if trying to think of other naturally occurring things,  then finished with "Nature. That's real life." Said with all the confidence and wisdom of a nine year old.  The chattering from the three friends continued, then was interrupted by a collective gasp: "Oh! Look! Horses!"
 I smiled in amusement, commenting "Those are donkeys."
"Donkeys!" they said with the same level of excitement, completely unphased. "And sheep! Now that is real life! Sheep." the very knowledgeable nine year old said matter-of-factly.
The picturesque field spotted with grazing sheep slipped past to be replaced by rolling hills blanketed in forest.
"Bye puppy-sheep!"

In a sense, our over-confident nine year old was right: real life is about tornadoes and sheep. There are moments in life that feel like everything is being torn apart and tossed upside-down. I've experienced many of those. You wonder what in the world God is doing, why, and how it could possibly be a good thing. I've given so much to you, God, and this is how you repay me? Tornadoes test our faith and bring forth our fears.

I'm going to let you in on a secret: I like tornadoes. Growing up, I loved visiting Ohio during tornado season. The air gets thick and heavy, the wind is gusty and fresh and musty all at the same time, the sky changes to a very un-sky-like green. I know you're supposed to get inside and away from windows, but I just want to watch the tree-tops whip back and forth, trash cans skittering down the street. The air is weighty with power, reminding me of my mighty God.

But that is a side track. Last year I heard about a teenage boy who dropped unconscious while playing basketball and died soon after. I mourned for him, but in a disconnected way. Now I know his brother, one of the kids who come to ICI. There is a lot of violence and unexpected death in Chicago. Tornadoes rise up suddenly and wreak havoc on our lives.

That is why "The LORD is my shepherd" is so sweet. He guides in the midst of fear and the changing patterns of life. He gives us rest, causes us to rest. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (He is leading us, remember? That's what a shepherd does) we need not fear because he is there with us, more powerful than anything that could try to knock us over, gentle enough to comfort and restore us.

Real life is full of tornadoes - tumultous times - and sheep - people in need of a Shepherd to guide and protect them. Our nine year old didn't know how right she really was.