The Rock of Ages

Autumn is my all-time favourite season. To me, it represents so much diversity…trees of flaming colours, gorgeous sunsets, bountiful harvests, and misty mornings. But this year, Fall came bringing with it nothing but storm after storm. I think in the past year I’ve heard phrases I’ve never heard before to describe our weather conditions. “Arctic freeze”, “heat dome”, “weather bomb”, and right now, our province, is experiencing something called “atmospheric river” caused by the “pineapple express”. These are storms, the likes of which no one has seen in over a hundred years. And it has wreaked havoc on our province – mudslides, flooding, evacuations, collapse of highways etc.

The first atmospheric river came in very swiftly three weeks ago. We very rarely have storms, maybe once or twice a year, at most. And usually, it’s just a continuous misty rain. So I stood at the kitchen window, quite paralyzed by the sight of the storm, and very afraid for our maple tree that stood in the corner of our backyard. All the fiery red leaves that, just a week ago, had made for a glorious picture in the setting sun, lay lifeless and wet on the ground, and the tree was bent over double in the wind and the rain.

I stared into the storm afraid, because once before we had a maple tree in the exact spot (one that had sentimental value because my father-in-law had planted it), and it had been uprooted during a storm such as this one. Sadly, it did not survive the replanting. This new maple, which was planted in its stead, had grown strong and sturdy in the 10+ years it had been in our backyard, but I was so afraid for it in this fierce storm. There was nothing I could do but stand and watch. The tree was bent over in the lashing rain and gusts of wind that were strong enough to make anything that was not battened down, fly across the yard.

And as I watched, I realized that I didn’t need to be afraid. The rock at the base of the tree, which I had always thought was for landscaping purposes, had been strategically placed there by the gardener, when he planted the new tree. You see, the rock anchored our beautiful Japanese maple.  

Friends, from past experience I know that this storm season will soon be over, and fall will turn to winter. And just as sure as the earth passes from season to season, our lives will do the same. And just as sure as we love the seasons that bring beauty and joy, there will be seasons when the rain and wind seem to lash down endlessly, or the dreariness of a winter’s night seems lonely and unending.

But, through it all… I, for one, am very grateful for the Rock of Ages, who anchors my life.

Trust [confidently] in the LORD forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], For the LORD GOD is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:4 (Amp)