Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, remember, that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall be upon you, it shall drag you down to the gulf of misery and the endless woe, because of the rock upon which ye are built which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

We are experiencing those winds this year. First covid-19, then the economy, then fires in California like we've never seen before and now hurricane Laura just landed in Louisiana, a category 4 at landfall, the seventh storm of August to come through the Gulf of Mexico. Racism continues to roar its ugly head through police brutality - this time in Kenosha, Wisconsin. And that has triggered more protests and more violence.

I have found myself longing for stability - a sure foundation - and I have not even been touched by any of this! Yes, life has slowed down, Church stopped, we stay safe at home, wear masks in public. But no serious illness, no job loss, no violence in our community. By all appearances suburban America is doing fine - except for our schools.

Schools are starting and the virus has impacted them greatly. But I'm retired - I don't even have to worry about that!

Or do I? Why is my sleep disrupted? Why do I have episodes of nausea? Why do I feel anxious?

We are not islands. We do not live alone. What affects one affects all. 

I am deeply upset for our nation. There is chaos in the white house and we have no leader who cares about us. No words to guide us, to give hope. Just nasty, ill spoken words that grind at our better selves.

And so I turn to the scriptures for comfort - to remind myself of the things that really matter in life - to put it all in perspective.

I turn to the Lord in prayer to find assurance and to feel loved.

I turn to those I love for support.

I know my "sure foundation" and I am grateful to know Him and to be able to count on Him during this very tumultuous time.