The Storms

Sometimes the storms of life come hard…

Storm Clouds in OKC 6/17/2006

The sky grows dark, the winds blow

And the rain pours down.

This past week I was caught in a severe storm.

Eighty mph straight line winds, hail, thunder, lightening, and rain.

Unbearable summer heat brings on the storms…

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When the storms of life fall hard

and the winds threaten,

I am thankful that Jesus never waivers

and He can calm the storm…

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Thankful for:

* no damage during the storm on Friday

* that we weren’t hurt in the storm

* rain

* yard sales

* good deals

* eating at a local Mexican restaurant

* “I love you” from the kids

* my husband’s arm wrapped around me

* kind acts

* early morning sunshine

* getting things checked off the to do list

* unexpected good news

* the harmony of wind chimes

Weathering Life

Lightning

The morning sun pours in through the windows and puddles golden on the floor. It is a bright morning following a stormy night. The lightness is in direct contrast to the steel gray of last night’s weather. I think that life, in general, is a lot like the weather.

*we can try and plan outdoor activities, schedule things on the calendar….but, sometimes it rains and plans change.

*storms are unpredictable, and sometimes scary….but, they don’t last forever.

*as much as we enjoy the sunshine, we need the rain. Rain helps things to grow.

*sun is important and our body needs it for good health and for our moods, but too much sunshine and we get hurt.

*Sunshine and rain are both important in nature…and in life.

Enjoy the sunny times of life, appreciate them. Embrace them. Remember them.

But, also remember that every life is going to have rain…need rain. Learn to weather the storms. Hang on tight. Ride them out.

Both sunshine and rain help you to grow.

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-thank you God, for the sunshine and the rain

-puddles of sunlight

-doggie licks

-the smell of coffee

-holding hands

-good morning hugs

-friendship

-good ideas

-comfy pajamas

-a fresh start to a new week

Stormy Saturday

A wall cloud with tail cloud.

Image via Wikipedia

My alarm clock went off at 7am. I heard the thunder in the distance.

I listened. I heard it coming closer.

Then I heard the rain.

A nice sound, early in the morning.

After about an hour and a half, I decided it was safe enough to walk the dog.

There was a huge, dark, wall cloud at the front of the house. I could still hear thunder and see lightning in the distance.

I told Lonnie to hurry up.

He didn’t.

I was fascinated with the clouds. I am a storm watcher. I did not like being the tallest thing in the field, when I could see lightning…even if it wasn’t right near me. I didn’t want to take any chances, so I squatted down with the dog and reminded him again that he needed to get the show on the road so we could go back inside.

I took him back inside and grabbed my camera.

I ran back outside and snapped some pictures, even though in just a few minutes the clouds had already changed and moved.

I do love summertime storms.

 

Giving Thanks In The Midst Of

Category F5 tornado (upgraded from initial est...

Image via Wikipedia

I heard the rain and wind last night

Only semi-awake in the dark of the night

A fleeting thought of stormy weather

As I changed my sleeping position

I woke to the early morning news of more people hurt

more buildings demolished

more lives destroyed

more people gone…just gone

never to return

Those who have lost so much in the deadly winds

Why them? Why not me?

Is it right for me to give thanks on this Monday, when so many are hurting? Lost? Devastated?

I quietly sit at the table

and stare at my computer screen.

Images from the news seared into my thoughts

My heart aches.

*thankful that more people weren’t hurt or injured

*for friends and neighbors who reach out their hands

*for those who come to help

*for the human spirit

*for not giving up

*for pressing on

*for trying one more time

*for surviving

*for God, who is still there

Some of us have not gone through the utter devastation of a tornado, but we have lost loved ones. Some of us have never huddled through the howling winds, but we have huddled in fear of losing everything from job loss. Some of us have never watched as our house was torn apart, but we understand fire, floods, or theft. We haven’t stood in terror watching the storm approach, but we understand the terror of a deadly diagnosis.

Storms of life come in all shapes and sizes.

I am thankful that God loves us, that He cares for us through ALL of life’s storms.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  Psalm 18:2 NIV

What are some things you are thankful for this Monday?