Stranded



The Loyalsock Creek in the midst of the flooding.

We were stranded. Fortunately, our camp site was on higher ground, so the floodwaters weren't endangering us. The Loyalsock Creek flowing through World's End State Park in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania was rising quickly. It flowed over its banks and covered the road. The rushing, raging water even tore down trees in its path. The power of the torrent of water was astonishing. We watched and listened as one tree came crashing down and was flung along with the current. We took several walks throughout the day to check on the road and the water. Below are a few photos of the changing scenery that day.



This is what the Loyalsock Creek
 usually looks like.



The creek rose higher and higher...



Then it covered the road. (Don't worry,
they were perfectly safe.)

Eventually the rain stopped, and the waters slowly went down. Later that same day the roads opened again. There was evidence of the flood all around, in the mud-covered roadways, the trees left lying in various places, and the crushed corn stalks. In the midst of all this damage, one thing stood out to me. There was a tree right in the creek that was still standing, and there was another tree that had been torn out of the ground jammed against that upright tree. (see pic below)

As I looked closer, I realized that the tree that still stood tall was coming out of a rock. It was standing on a rock. What a great reminder! Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

(Matt. 7:24-25)

Storms and floods may come in a variety of forms, like job loss, sickness, accidents, or other challenges. Actually, storms will come. However, Jesus Christ is a solid rock and a sure foundation. If you know and rely on Him, you will not be swept away by anything. He promises to be near, and He can give you a peace that the strongest winds and most powerful waters cannot uproot.