My husband and I recently spent a week traveling through Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  Our first attempt at seeing the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore failed since all the boat tours were cancelled due to high winds, so we began looking for plan "B", which turned out to be a delightful (if not cold and damp) tour of waterfalls in the area.
Adjusting our plans to stay an extra day paid off; we were pleased to find that the 10:00 a.m. tour was a "go", at least with the footnote that if the weather got too bad the ship would turn around and return to port.
Bundled in our winter coats - plus a newly purchased hat and gloves for me - we made our way on board.  Normally we'd choose to ride out in the open on the upper deck, but with it barely 40 degrees, rainy and windy, we opted to ride below deck with everyone else.  Once we reached the Pictured Rocks, however, my husband and a few other brave souls faced the elements to get clear photos, while the rest of us sensible (and already freezing) people spread out along the windows below.  (Taking a cruise in mid-October, on a boat less than a quarter full does have its advantages!) Insert photos here:
Unfortunately, you'll have to use your imagination.  Due to a camera glitch, all those gorgeous photos Bob stood out in the cold rain for managed to disappear somewhere between the camera and the computer, never to be seen again...
By the grace of God I took a mere two photos, now known as the only photos, through the windows below deck.  This sight was so interesting; I knew God had a message for me in it. There, standing on a rock, is a lone pine tree.  With all the trees around, it initially blended in, at least until it occurred to me that trees don't grow on rocks!

Back at the dock, I read a newspaper article about the regular occurrence of Lake Superior reclaiming some of the Pictured Rocks.  Each year, a bit more of the rock wall crumbles, eventually making its way into the lake.  Initially this tree stood on an arch, but many years ago the arch gave way, leaving this solitary pine tree standing on a stone pedestal.

How does it survive?

If you look closely you can see roots stretching horizontally from the tree to the shore.  This tree sent out roots to connect with its source of nutrients back when it had the arch of rock to support them.  Being firmly rooted, the tree was able to stand despite the foundation crumbling from beneath it.

Here we were, the rain coming down, the winds blowing and beating against the tree, yet it did not fall, even with the foundation long ago disintegrated out from under it.

Have you ever felt like your world was crumbling beneath you?

Jesus is the Rock you can turn to in times of trouble, but as we learn from this pine tree, the best time to turn to Him is before the crisis hits.  We never know when our world is going to come crashing down around us.  By strengthening our relationship with Him when skies are calm, we'll find ourselves on a firm foundation when the earth gives way.

Father, I lift up to you those who feel right now that their world is crumbling around them.  May you be their Rock, their source of strength during this difficult time.  I pray that the rest of us would seek you now, giving us a firm foundation for the storms we are sure will eventually come.

Linking up with: "Tell Me a Story", "Soli Deo Gloria", "Titus 2sdays", "Teach Me Tuesdays", "God Bumps and God Incidences", "Word-Filled Wednesday", "Into the Word Wednesday" , "Thought Provoking Thursday", "Thankful Thursday"
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