Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Master the tempest is raging...


Before saying anything, I want you to know that this is one of my all-time favorite hymns of the church. I have been teased about this in the past that it's kind of a depressing song to have as my favorite. The reasons behind this choice are: It tells a bible story where the Savior calms a terrible torrent and also that it reminds me of the steps it takes to get through our own torrents in life.


The blogging world hasn't seen me for a few weeks because I have been going through that very torrent. I have been swept up in many waves. Waves of discouragement. Waves of Dispair. Waves of Illness. Waves of uncertainty. Waves of anguish. Waves of fear. Waves of pain. Waves of trial.


I am not going to get into too much detail as to what has gone on but I will tell you that the wave started from loosing my full-time job with JetBlue and the storms and the torrents that have come as a result have left some effects in my life that I am trying daily to call out to my Master for his promise of peace be still.


Through these torrents, there is one thing that has remained steady and sure, that is my friends and family. They have touched my heart with the service that they have helped with as I have been physically challenged. My Mother spent her entire holiday weekend taking care of me. My Brother donated a car that was an automatic for me to drive and when someone in my culdesac did a hit and run and left it pretty damaged, He never took it out on me. My sweet friends Jen, Stace, Nat, Ghetto, Kelly, Marisa and my Mom rescued me from excruciating pain by helping me get through a wedding that I was still in the need of catering. My sweet friend Kaela braved bad weather to come sit and visit with me. Phone calls of love and support have come in from so many and I so appreciate it! It's at the times that are the most difficult that your true friends shine through.


I know that these trials are but a small season of my life and that is a few days, months or weeks I can look back and see the experience gained. While I am going through the storms.. it helps daily to keep the words to one of the most pivitol song in my life in mind...


Master, the tempest is raging!

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.

No shelter or help is nigh.

Carest thou not that we perish?

How canst thou lie asleep

When each moment so madly is threat’ning

A grave in the angry deep?

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o’er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master.

Oh, hasten and take control!

Master, the terror is over.

The elements sweetly rest.

Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven’s within my breast.

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more,

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore.


The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:

Peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, be still; peace, be still.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, peace, be still.


I believe so powerfully in the promises of this song! My favorite part is, "And with joy I should make the blest harbor and rest on the blissful shore." All of us go through these times. All of us know these waves and torrents in different ways. Thanks to each of you who has prayed for me, thought about me and helped me to realize that the blissful shore will come quicker than it presently looks. Today my prayer is that each of us can hear the words of Peace be still.

15 comments:

Amber said...

Love you, Meg! Your post is inspiring. I love that hymn too! We are praying for you and look forward to the blessings and answers that will come. Something good will come out of this difficult time. It is promised. It is good to see you on the blog again!! I've missed you!

Desiree said...

Meg. I feel like such a bad friend. I had no idea you were troubled. I'm so sorry about your job, health, etc... Know that I love you and would LOVE to help in ANY way that I can. I'm glad you've been surrounded by friends and family and have such an amazing hope and outlook. You will rest on the blissful shore. Love you!

Unknown said...

I feel bad that I didn't know any of this! I'm so sorry. I was just thinking yesterday that I should give you a call to see if JetBlue is hiring. Well..... they can go to He**!!! I hope things start looking up for you. You are a very positive person. Thank you for being such a great example to all of us. Love you!

Marissa said...

What a great post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am so sorry for the waves that have been raging for you. It looks like you are being greatly cared for and doing better. You will be in my prayers.

Jill Heaps said...

Megan you are so amazing! It is so nice that you can be so honest. I am not sure I would be handling things so well. We have this picture in our bedroom...it is Matt's very favorite and one of mine as well. Thank you for the reminder that Christ has NOT left any of us alone...your storm will end in his time...and the beauty you will see will be better than EVER! I love you and I hope you are feeling better. You are in my prayers. Keep your good attitude but also know that you can vent on ANY of us any time...Even Megan Gazaway can have a bad day(SOMETIMES!) LOVE YOU!!!

Bethany said...

love you megs.

Monica said...

Megan,
What an inspirational post! We always have to remind myself that we all signed up for this--the good with the bad, the difficult with the easy! You are an example to all and are so loved! I loved hearing all the service that was rendered in your behalf because your life is an example of service! Thanks for this reminder of what life is all about!

My favorite thing that my mother taught me was "The scriptures say, IT CAME TO PASS" not came to stay!
The lessons and growth that come from this time will be immeasureable! Thanks for being who you are! Love ya!!!

Jolyn Buhrley said...

Meg, I believe with all my heart that what you give out in your life will come back to you. Knowing this-there is no doubt in my mind your life will be full of love, beauty, and happiness. For this is what you have given others everyday of your life. I love you Meg. This to will pass!

I haven't been able to reach you the last 2 days-does this mean no more "incoming" calls?:(
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Shane's Angie said...

Megsy!! I didn't know you were hurting so much! Was it the sciatica we talked about at the temple? I'm so sorry...I would have been more help at the wedding had I known you were in pain! I appreciate you reminding all of us that sometimes there will be tempests, but we can call out to our Lord for help. Best wishes, my prayers are with you!

marilyn said...

Megan I'm so sorry you are going through such a hard time, I've been thinking a lot about you lately, you are always there for everyone, I hope you know how loved you are. You are passing your "test" I know with all my heart that great blessings are in store for you. I miss you hope we see you his weekend the Buhrleys will be here. love you

Unknown said...

I was just looking at the cute picture I took of you at Lexi's wedding...what an amazing trooper you are. We love you.

Kaela Cusack said...

We love you so much and we are praying for you! We have a little surprise, so let us know when we can come visit :)

Jeremy Whiting said...

Megan you are the best and you are so loved by so many. I hope you can feel how much everyone loves you and what a crucial part of my family you are. Your honesty is truly inspiring and I know it helps others to know that even someone like you has frustrations and challenges.

Carol said...

I loved this Meg. Thanks for reminding me that trials (even ones that feel impossible) never last and that He is in control.

I will pass on the word about you being back in the Nanny Business. Woohoo!!!

robert said...

Sure sounds like you've gone through a very difficult time--lots of tempests. I'm thankful for the friends and family that came to your aid. And the song points us to the Lord Jesus, the greatest Friend and Helper we can ever have.

If you'd like to know a bit about how the song came to be written, I invite you to check out my daily blog on hymn history, Wordwise Hymns.