It was Sunday. I was in our Gospel Doctrine class. And I was nearing the end of a difficult pregnancy. My husband and I had very consciously added to our family and knew pregnancy posed some challenges for me. Although we did not expect the challenges that came. I was the kind of sick that goes along with pregnancy. I was also dealing with blood pressure issues and thus lightheadedness, weakness, and lethargy. I was having trouble with my hips to the point that I couldn’t walk and needed physical therapy. In therapy I injured my back. I developed a cough that turned into pneumonia. During a violent coughing episode I dislocated a rib. And I wasn’t the only one who was struggling. We were in the ER at 4 in the morning a few days prior because we had a child who was so sick he couldn’t breathe. It just wasn’t a good time.

But it wasn’t the first rough patch. Just after our previous child’s birth I had a severe gallstone attack that required a race to the emergency room and subsequent surgery. Two years before that I required surgery to correct some issues that followed the traumatic birth of our first child. But challenges didn’t limit themselves to pregnancy, birth and healing. We had extreme vehicle issues and were required to replace engines in not one but two cars. We went through an unexpected job loss and unemployment for several months. In efforts to graduate from school without debt I worked two jobs while studying for my degree. We had dealt with a variety of health issues, anxiety, injuries, depression, job loss, new employment, learning curves that almost did me in and other challenging situations. 

But haven’t we all? 

Some of these situations we found ourselves in because we were striving to be obedient to counsel from the prophet or other leaders. Some we put ourselves in. Other situations come simply from mortality.

Most recently the world finds itself in the midst of a storm. In addition to extreme poverty, wars, corruption, famine, earthquakes, and suffering, globally we fight an invisible enemy. CoVid-19 has affected every nation, every country, every continent. We face this storm as a world family, without a sense of its duration, its long term effects, or its end game. Control over our lives has been stripped away. We receive direction from our governments as to who can leave their homes, when and where we can go, and how we work and learn.

In the Sunday class we were reading about Jesus walking on water and Peter walking out to meet him. I had read this account before. There were things that have stood out to me in previous readings. Such as: only when Peter feared the storm and took his gaze off the Savior did he start to sink. When Peter called out for help he was immediately rescued by the Lord. Peter doubted because of his lack of faith. At different times of my life these different lessons rang true. But at this time- days away from the end of a difficult pregnancy, trying very hard to even show up in my life let alone engage and participate, and keep my faith and testimony growing- something else about this miracle stood out to me. Since that day it has come to the forefront of my mind over and over again. Most recently amid this global pandemic.

I imagine it had been a long day. The Savior had taught and subsequently fed more than 5,000 people by a miracle using only two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus had sent his disciples ahead, directing them to sail across the Sea of Galilee while He sent the droves of people home and stole away to pray. As day turns to night the disciples sail out to open water. The winds pick up and whip around the ship with ferocity, the waves build and become unrelenting. The storm intensifies and the disciples, out on the sea because they were following the instruction of their Savior, struggle to keep the ship afloat, let alone headed in the right direction. Late into the night, well into the storm, the apostles on the ship see something coming toward them. Although these men were fishermen by trade and had seen, experienced, endured their fair share of storms, they fear what they see moving toward them. Recognizing the shape to be that of a man walking, on the water, through the storm, coming toward them their fear intensifies. Is it some kind of apparition, a ghost, a spirit? As it approaches they call out in fear and Jesus responded:

“Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” And when Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” And he said, “Come.” And when Peter was come down out of the ship he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me.” And immediately, Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. (Matthew 14:27-32)

There are so many things to be learned from this encounter: Jesus didn’t identify himself by name, only “it is I” and the disciples recognized his voice and knew who it was. Peter asked for the opportunity to experience a miracle. Jesus granted his request by inviting Peter to come unto Him. Peter did indeed walk on water. The storm raged and Peter felt fear– appropriately so. As he took his focus off Christ he began to sink. Peter called out. Jesus immediately rescued him. And then the last verse in this account: “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.”

The storm did not cease when Peter was saved from drowning. They were not immediately back in the ship. There was a process of “coming into the ship.” Peter and Jesus were in the midst of the boisterous storm. Standing in the open water, waves, wind, and rain beating upon them. I imagine Peter, having just been saved from drowning, clinging to Christ; maybe still fearful, maybe absolutely peaceful, certainly thankful to be in the arms of the Son of God. Whatever he was feeling, the reality remains: they were in the middle of a storm, being assaulted by the elements, and they somehow “come into the ship.” I asked myself, “how did they get back to the ship?” That in and of itself must have been a miracle. Did He and Peter, clinging to each other, walk on the very water that was trying to swallow them up? Did they stand resolutely in place on the water, as the disciples struggled to row over and collect them? We don’t know. But we do know there was a time between Peter’s act of faith, subsequent fear, doubt, near drowning, and Jesus’ deliverance, that they were together while the storm whipped around them. Being in the arms of the Savior did not equate to the ceasing of the storm.

How often do we find ourselves asking for a miracle, acting on faith, realize we are drowning, and then rescued by the Savior, only to wonder why the storm is still raging. Jesus responding, even immediately, to our cry for help does not mean the waves die down. Feeling peace in His arms does not mean the winds cease. Having Him beside us does not mean the storm is over. What it can mean is more miracles are on their way. 

In my own situation, I felt reassurance, experienced tender mercies, had my testimony grow, developed stronger relationships with those around me and my Savior, all in the midst of storms raging. As a tree grows deeper and stronger roots and a thicker trunk and branches because of the storms it endures, we too can be strengthened from the wind and rain that beats upon us. As the prophet has said

“…our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ know us, love us, and are watching over us. Of that we can be certain. … These unique challenges will pass in due time. I know the great and marvelous blessings that God has in store for those who love Him and serve Him.” (A Message of Hope and Love for You; Presiden Nelson)

As I have witnessed this CoVid-19 storm rage around the world, I have been amazed by the great and marvelous blessings that have come. Truly our world feels smaller, more familial, less selfish. People from different countries and continents are sharing, serving, encouraging, and spreading hope far beyond their own homes and communities. Only months ago we were all separated by our individual storms and challenges. Now we find ourselves more united because a single storm rages over all the world. Rest assured, the rain will stop, the waves will die down, the wind will fade, and the storm will cease. But while we wait for that wonderful day, let us cling to the Savior and embrace the miracles that He has in store.