By Fr. Kenneth Borowiak
Pastor, St. Joseph Parish in Friend
Throughout salvation history, God frequently used nature to communicate with His people. Storms have been interpreted in various ways. Some have been seen as metaphors for the difficulties and hardships of life, encouraging people to trust in the Lord in challenging times.
Storms have been seen as God’s punishment, or as judgment on His people. Another way of interpreting storms might be as an analogy to life and spiritual storms that many encounter or endure at one time or another in our lives.
The Bible speaks of spiritual storms, such as the fear and doubt that can arise in times of crisis, as seen in the disciples’ fear during the storm on the Sea of Galilee.
It is very possible that Jesus still uses storms as a means of reminding us of important aspects in our lives.
Nebraska was hit by a significant blizzard Wednesday, March 19. The late-season blizzard blanketed much of eastern Nebraska, with up to 10 inches of snow driven by winds gusting up to 70 miles an hour.
The week began with record-breaking temperatures in the mid-80s on St. Patrick’s Day. The next day was equally as nice, with daytime highs in the mid-70s.
The shift began overnight into the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 19. Around 5 a.m. significant lightning and thunder ushered in the arrival of a cold front as it swept across the state. Winds began to pick up as light rain changed to sleet and then to wet, heavy snow which continued throughout the day.
I had just started the 7 a.m. Mass as the lights flickered three times and then finally went out. I took one of the candles from the altar and pulled it up next to the Roman Missal so that I could see to continue.
Believing that the lights would come on shortly, I finished Mass, completed my prayers and returned to the rectory. However, as the day continued, heavy snow blanketed the area and brought much of Nebraska to a standstill.
Broken poles and downed power lines caused many communities and rural homes and farms and ranches across Nebraska to be without power for an extended period of time. Many Catholic parishes and schools were without power for days. Cars and trucks were in ditches and blocked highways, hog and poultry barns were without heat and water, and families hunkered down in their homes.
I was fortunate that I was only without power for two days.
The absence of power allowed me to realize two things: How utterly dependent we are on God for all things, and the unfailing gratitude we should have for the blessings God gives us.
What we now consider as necessities are really conveniences brought about by modern inventions, discoveries and development. It is uncomfortable when the overnight temperature drops to 50° in the house. After throwing several extra blankets on the bed, even my dog Luna decided to crawl under the covers. Not being able to jump in the shower with hot water, to open the refrigerator for a meal, to turn on the television to catch the evening news, and all of the many other conveniences, made me, at least, realize that I can take things way too much for granted and become complacent in the gratitude that I should have to Almighty God for everything that He has blessed me with.
Another benefit of this storm was the ability to meet people I had not known before, but the Lord put them in my life in those 48 hours without power.
The Friend Hospital, having two backup generators, was the only public place in town that had electricity. I went there, as did many people in town, to charge my phone. There I met new friends. I was able to know who they are, where they live and some of the things that they are grateful for in life.
God did not use the storm to knock us down, but rather, to act like a linebacker who gives an offensive lineman a good nudge when he breaks through the opposing team’s offensive line. He reminded us that He is the giver of all good gifts and that everything that we have comes from Him. At the same time, He wants us to rely wholly upon Him and to ask Him for everything that we need. (2 Peter 1:3)
Things have been worse. Many readers have gone through the destruction and devastation of tornadoes. Many remember the storms of March 29, 1976. On that date – I was a sophomore in high school – much of Nebraska experienced a huge ice storm driven by winds. Hundreds of power poles were broken off in that storm, and many areas were without power for a month. Utter dependence, gratitude and bringing new people into my life. The Lord has a keen way of reminding us that He is Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.
