7Echoes

“ Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Adapted from Luke 14:22  Finally, some alone time… no crowds to bustle around him, halfexpecting another miracle involving breads and fishes. Nor were his disciples here to fawn over him and distract him with incessant questions. He had sent them over the lake for tonight, he’d meet them in the morning… right now, there was something he’d been wanting to pray about and this cool, quiet hill seemed like the perfect spot. * * *  “Pull tightly on that rope!” Peter shouted over the noise of the storm. “Matthew! Andrew! Leave those sails and join the others at the oars,” he added as he tugged at the unyielding helm struggling to find his footing on the rocking boat. The wind blew furiously and the lake churned as if determined to sink their boat, wave after wave hit them, drenching their boat with water and foam. Lightning leapt across the dark clouds in the sky illuminating the billowing lake as thunder shrieked and boomed. ...