On the day of the strong winds last week, I thought of that nursery rhyme about the month of March coming in like a lion and out like a lamb (April showers bring May flowers.) It's good to remember that a lot of things are predictable and there is peace in knowing that we are not new to certain patterns of earthly existence.

Earlier that morning my Bible devotion was based on the New International Version of Mark 4:35-41, the story of Jesus calming the storm. "Quiet! Be still" Jesus said in front of his drenched and frightened disciples. And, the storm immediately calmed.

I was visiting with my step-mom in Coos Bay, Oregon about that and she said to think about how many people live in middle America who might not really understand the shock of that moment because they've never experienced the power of the ocean.

El Segundo popped into mind. I said a silent prayer thanking God for letting me go with David on that job assignment. There were many times we were at the beach as it was only a few blocks walk from our apartment.

The ocean waves are truly beyond imagination if you have never seen them. From rolling mounds in a vast sea, the water can leap in an instant high into the air against the bay's rocky edges. In Coos Bay, even experienced fishermen keep their boats docked with potential storms.

No wonder the fishermen were terrified. I would be, too.

They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Growing up in church, I heard this story many times and of course, I've read it before but as always, the passage brought new relevance.

This time was being reminded that I do not have to fear Covid getting me, the economy crashing, the world getting too hot, my young high school friends aren't getting an all night party, or that the Parkway Overpass isn't getting built fast enough. God has a plan and I am part of it. I must trust and keep doing my part in any way I can to further humankind, our country, and our small town of friends.

I can take my vitamins and be careful in public. I can also drive an older friend to get her vaccine. I can be wise about money matters. I can keep recycling. I can 'adopt' a local high school senior via Facebook and I can pray for our local leaders like U.S. Representative John Garamendi.

His email boasted that he proudly voted for the "American Rescue Plan" which provides millions of dollars for our district to "address our specific needs in local health care, transportation, education, and other essential services."

This plan included nearly $6 million for the Dixon school district and nearly $4 million so Dixon "can continue to provide essential services like firefighting, law enforcement, nutrition assistance, and extends and expands unemployment insurance."

This makes no sense. We're not hurting. Government is not hurting. They always get paid. We will continue to give away money--which I believe discourages innovation and hard work and keeps minimum wage workers on unemployment rolls and enslaves future generations by politicians refusing to spend within their means.

I'm alarmed that America is just printing money--yikes! Feeling helpless is a terrible thing. So much for finding peace in predictable cycles of earthly existence!