Billows and Pillows

As a child I was confused by the old hymn that started:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

I didn’t know what ‘billows’ were. It sounded like ‘pillows’; being tossed in pillows sounded  like fun to me…

…Since then I’ve got beyond the first line and understand better what it is to be tossed on life’s billows. Yesterday… several friends…

…Having to manage loved ones confused, frustrated and damaged by dementia …Finding ‘Father’s Day’ really tough through bereavement, broken marriages and life’s rubbish …Facing cancer head on; fighting a battle but knowing it’s out of their control.

…Discouraged …all is lost?

The old hymn continues, encouraging us to ‘count our blessings’.  For me, today, that isn’t too difficult: Yesterday…

… Father’s Day, we spent time with our children; I received cards and presents…

…We’re fit enough to enjoy the sunshine and walk beside the sea…

…I met, chatted to, laughed with, good friend’s I’ve known for many years…

…There’s flowers in our garden, a sparrow’s singing to me from our apple tree…

Jesus and his disciples are in a boat. The storm and billows come… Jesus is sleeping with his head on a pillow… Jesus finds a pillow in the billows

‘Tempest tossed’ disciples (physically and emotionally) wake Jesus up; He calms the storm… Jesus turns the billows into pillows (?!)

Two friends yesterday taught me about billows and pillows…

I chatted to Sarah whose response to cancer is: ’So… this happened yesterday… sometimes you have to take control of something before it takes control of you!! So I said goodbye to the rest of my hair on my terms…’  

Andrea talked to our church family about Father’s Day… not hiding the sadness and disappointment of her sons’ father not living with them… acknowledging and appreciating those who have been good father-role-models to them.

Sarah and Andrea know both about life’s billows… and the pillows that their Father-God can bring.